Scott B.
Yelp
So this place has been on my "old wacky sh$t in Los Angeles" radar for years now. I wasn't actually sure what it was about, but from what I understand, it's one of those things that's been around forever, so that's really why. On past visits to the Santa Monica Pier I've tried to stop in here, but they've been closed. So on this trip, when I found they were open, I was quite happy.
I entered and looked around. It seems to be an art place? Like I could sit down and do an art at one of the many tables they've got around. I guess they've also got local artists that put their stuff here for people to look at. I asked about the camera thing. I think I actually even said it like that. "There's supposed to be a camera.....thing? Somewhere around here?" Nice lady behind the table asked me to sign in, and then directed me to go that-a-way, through that door, then up the stairs to see it. Um....ok.
So I went that-a-way, through the door, up the stairs and then saw a door that led into a pitch black room. When that last door shut, It was dark. Way dark. I fumbled with my phone to find the flashlight to figure out where the room began and ended so I wouldn't smash my face on something. I switched off the light and began to examine the dark room.
In the middle was a circular table of sorts. I then looked at it more carefully. There was an image on the table. The image was of just outside, and it was a moving image. People in the picture walked past without a care in the world. Probably not even aware that I was watching them. I marveled at it and read the informational paper I was given about it.
From what I understand, the "camera" was built at the end of the 1800's to increase tourism to Santa Monica at the time. It was based on a theory that was originally thunk up by Aristotle way back in the day. The first functioning examples were built in the 1600's. This particular one moved around a few times and was eventually placed in it's current location in the 50's.
I guess the principal is this: A lens collects light from a place, and then it reflects and puts the light (now somehow in the form of an image) on a table in a dark room. It's a neat lil example of science and light and stuff.
If you go online you can even find how to make a pretty decent example of these things out of a shoebox.
So ya. This thing is way freakin cool! If you're ever on your way to the pier and want to stop in before doing your pier stuff. Check it out! It really doesn't take that long, and it's a great example of a really old idea. Check the hours though. I was there on a Wednesday and they closed at 3pm. So ya. Check the hours. But thank you Santa Monica Mayor of the 1800's for building it to attract tourists. It took a while, but I eventually got here.
For More Reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura