lanternist

plural lanternists

1. historicalThe operator of a magic lantern.

   Nevertheless, old beliefs die hard, and in spite of rational explanations, the belief that lanternists could summon spirits persisted.

   2005, Paul Clee, Before Hollywood: From Shadow Play to the Silver Screen, page 21

   1 more example

   Lanternists first used glass slides as a surface for hand-drawn and photographic imagery and, in the 20th century, glass was replaced by 35mm film transparencies.

   2014, Ludwig Vogl-Bienek, Richard Crangle, Screen Culture and the Social Question, 1880-1914

   Synonyms: lanternman