Posts: 791
From: Northridge, CA USA
Registered: Jun 2003
posted April 10, 2009 08:46 AM
Because of the gearing. For most rewinds there is a gear on the handle and one on the shaft so as one is rotated, the other gear is engaged in the opposite direction.
Even the dual speed Filmo rewinds do this as well.
Since this became the standard on professional rewinds back in the early 1900s, it was never changed.
Posts: 1072
From: Horsham, West Sussex, UK
Registered: Nov 2004
posted April 17, 2009 07:42 AM
Except for the 16mm Elmo rewinds which I have, where the gearing is an internal planetary arrangement. This is where the teeth on the winding handle gear are on the inner edge of the large gear wheel, instead of being on the outer edge. Thus the driven gear turns in the same direction as the handle! Q.E.D.
-------------------- Dave.
Valves and celluloid - a great combination! Early technology rules OK!