{"id":1537,"date":"2023-02-16T11:06:47","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T19:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/?p=1537"},"modified":"2023-02-16T11:07:09","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T19:07:09","slug":"trivia-about-the-mitchell-geared-head-and-friction-head","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/2023\/02\/16\/trivia-about-the-mitchell-geared-head-and-friction-head\/","title":{"rendered":"Trivia About the Mitchell Geared Head and Friction Head"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As we continued our search to find the proper name for the Mitchell geared head, which we still have not found, we came across this charming advertisement that Mitchell placed in \u201cAmerican Cinematographer\u201d magazine in March 1931. In the ad, there are two camera operators, one using a geared head and one a friction head. The geared head operator laments the ease of use of the friction head and its telescoping pan handle. I have yet to find any advertising that specifically names the Mitchell geared head, but this ad leads me to believe that the geared head preceded the friction head in Mitchell\u2019s product line. Researching further in my own library, I have a 1920s Mitchell equipment catalog that outlines their full current product line. Both the geared head and the friction head are included in the catalog, though the geared head is not given a specific name and is only discussed along with their improved wooden tripod. The friction head, on the other hand, is specifically called a \u201cFriction Tilthead\u201d and discussed on its own page as a new item. I would still love to know the proper name for the geared head, but I thought I would share these interesting tidbits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1531\" src=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Advertisement from \u201cAmerican Cinematographer\u201d Magazine, March 1931, advertising the benefits of the Mitchell Friction Tilthead and its telescoping and folding pan handle.\" class=\"wp-image-1531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1532\" src=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-2-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A side by side view of a Mitchell Geared head and a Mitchell Friction Head. The geared head sits on the left of the photo and is operated by a pair of cranks that control the pan and tilt axes. The friction head sits on the right of the photo and is operated by a telescoping handle.\" class=\"wp-image-1532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-2.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-3.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1533\" src=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-3-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of the Mitchell Geared Head showing the two cranks used to operate the pan and tilt axes.\" class=\"wp-image-1533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-3.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-4.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1534\" src=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-4-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of the Mitchell Friction Head with the pan handle attached on the left.\" class=\"wp-image-1534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-4-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-4-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-4.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-5.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1535\" src=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-5-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A page from the 1920s Mitchell Camera Corporation product catalog titled \u201cDescribing the \u2018Mitchell\u2019 Motion Picture Camera\u201d, featuring the Mitchell tripod and geared head.\" class=\"wp-image-1535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-5-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-5-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-5.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-6.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-6-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A page from the 1920s Mitchell Camera Corporation product catalog titled \u201cDescribing the \u2018Mitchell\u2019 Motion Picture Camera\u201d, featuring the Mitchell Friction Tilthead.\" class=\"wp-image-1536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-6-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-6-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-6-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-6-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/mitchell-geared-head-vs-friction-head-6.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we continued our search to find the proper name for the Mitchell geared head, which we still have not found, we came across this charming advertisement that Mitchell placed in \u201cAmerican Cinematographer\u201d magazine in March 1931. In the ad, there are two camera operators, one using a geared head and one a friction head. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[33,73,75,10,92],"class_list":["post-1537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camera-support","tag-35mm","tag-friction-head","tag-geared-head","tag-mitchell-camera","tag-mitchell-camera-co"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1537"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1537\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1539,"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1537\/revisions\/1539"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cinemagear.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}