OVE RHE AD

PROJ EC TOR S
Hist ory
 The first overhead projector was used for police identification
work. It used a cellophane roll over a 9-inch stage allowing facial
characteristics to be rolled across the stage. The U.S. Army in
1945 was the first to use it in quantity for training as World War II
wound down. It began to be widely used in schools and
businesses in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
 A major manufacturer of overhead projectors in this early period
was the company 3M. As the demand for projectors grew,
Buhl Industries was founded in 1953, and became the leading US
contributor for several optical refinements for the overhead
projector and its projection lens. In 1957 the United States' first
Federal Aid to Education program stimulated overhead sales
which remained high up to the late 1990s and into the 21st
Century.
 The first projector was made by a man named Suaing Chong from
China.
De clin e i n use
 Overhead projectors were once a common fixture in most
classrooms and business conference rooms, but today are slowly
being replaced by larger computer monitors, dedicated computer
projection systems and interactive whiteboards. Such systems
allow to make presentations, typically using software like
Microsoft PowerPoint.
 Critics feel that there are some downsides as these technologies
are more prone to failure and have a much steeper learning curve
for the user than a standard overhead projector. While a computer
projection system eliminates the need to create hard copy
transparencies (which can be quite expensive, particularly if made
in colour) of the slide show presentation, many presenters make
both in case the computer hardware fails. Furthermore, the
overhead projector allows a more direct interaction through live
writing on the transparency.
Tr ansparency
(projection)
 A transparency is a thin sheet of
transparent flexible material, typically
cellulose acetate, onto which figures can
be drawn. These are then placed on an
overhead projector for display to an
audience. This system is still found in
schools, but is being largely replaced by
LCD projectors.
Overh ead p roje ctors

 Overhead projectors are used as a visual aid to

display information to students it allows for
material or diagrams to large classes enabling
more time for teaching or classroom
discussions. It is important that when you are
making transparencies to write large and
legibly, and to only include main points or
ideas. The overhead projectors is easy to used
and can be easily incorporated into the
classroom.
Ad vantages o f
Overh ead Pr oje ctors
 Face to face contact with audience
 Eye contact possible
 Effective in a fully-lighted room; audience
can follow handouts or take notes
Disa dva nta ges o f
Overh ead Pr oje ctors
 Pages from books cannot be used
effectively without modification since text
will usually be too small for audience to
read
 Overhead projection is perceived as
being "less professional" than slides in a
formal setting.