Technology: Super 8 Projector Made of Lego

In a world of High Def video, projecting Super 8 film isn't a hassle most people need to worry about. But to camera nut, Friedemann Wachsmuth, this doesn't seem to bother him too much. He painstakingly built a fully functional Super 8 film projector almost entirely out of Lego. The only non-Lego materials used in the construction of the projector are the lamp, lens and reel spindles, but hey, who's counting?

  

The projector runs at a blistering speed of 24 frames per second, and while it's not as pristine as Blu Ray, Super 8 does have a certain vintage feel that you just can't get with HD. The friction clutch and the gear ration control the slip film reel. The film is pulled through by a claw mechanism, which Wachsmuth calls an "eccentric-driven Claw". The projector uses two engines, but only uses one when it rewinds. Yes, a projector made out of Legos can rewind your film.

The idea is rather nice when you think about it. Both Legos and Super 8 were once extremely popular and are now being buried by the latest video game release or the latest Blu-ray or 3D movie. The way Wachsmuth used the medium of Legos to play the lost medium of Super 8 film is very impressive and admirable.

Check out this video of the projector in action. And set to the Hawaii 5-0 theme song to make it even more exciting, the projector works smoothly resulting in fairly good playback of the Super 8 film.

Lego Technic Super-8 Movie Projector from Friedemann Wachsmuth.