Regardless of whether you believe celluloid films auto ignite or not, they do definitely decompose and become unstable. It's a fair question to ask if celluloid cylinders could risk the same fate. It was something I once discussed with the assistant head of the motion picture and recorded sound division of the Library of Congress when I was a consultant there. The Library has many thousands of Blue Amberols, and was concerned. But, fortunately, there has never been a report of celluloid cylinders breaking down and becoming mushy like film stock can. In fact, it turns out the reason film breaks down is because the developing chemicals were often not washed off thoroughly. It is the reaction of these chemicals that has a hand in causing the film to decompose. So, it seems likely cylinders would never be prone to the kind of deterioration that sometimes plagues old films. Tim Fabrizio phonophan PO Box 747 Henrietta, NY 14467
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