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It can take you to far-off places, bring you face to face with the leaders of the nation and tell you fairy tales.
Seen mostly in museums and available perhaps only in flea markets now, the three-dimensional viewer, manufactured by Sawyer's Inc, is a collector's item today.
It's not only the “View-Master”, but the last few remaining reels which give us a glimpse into our past.
The reel is a metal disk loaded with photographs of places and people.
This reel is then inserted into the slot of the three dimensional viewer.
The lever at the side of the device is pushed down and the picture on the disk changes. With an increasing number of 3D films making their way into theatres and homes, people seem to have forgotten the 3D View-Master which used to be the only source of three dimensional viewing a few decades ago.
Tourist Attractions
View-Master reels had photographs from every country and the 3D view made them look even more real.
People often counted upon these reels to make their travel itinerary. Some bought reels to see the places which they knew they wouldn't visit. “We used to love these 3D View-Masters as children. There were times when the device was the only way you could see far off places. I used to own many discs and my favourite one used to be this disc which had photos of the Egyptian pyramids and the Sphinx,” said Anisha Dalal, a senior citizen who remembers using the View-Master as a child. “Although I have never been to Egypt, I can remember those powerful images on the reels.”
While they served travel purpose decades ago, the View-Master has another more interesting use today.
Ever wondered what Bombay looked like in the 1950's? The View-Master reel, made in the US, numbered 4316 will give a clear 3D view into what Marine Drive, The Victoria Terminus and Gateway of India looked like.
“If you compare the photos to the reality today and you will know what a concrete jungle we have made of the city,” said Surendra Sheth, another senior citizen who has safely kept his device till date.
Some 3 D reels give us an inside view into the homes of national heroes. The reel numbered 4303, titled `At home with Jawaharlal Nehru', gives viewers a peek into his life with his daughter Indira Gandhi. There are also photographs of him with his grandchildren and one of him posing at Mahatma Gandhi's shrine.
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