Zoetrope

Zoetrope is an early optical device that creates the illusion of motion from a rapid sequence of images. It consists of a cylindrical drum with vertical slots around its exterior and a strip of pictures placed on the inner surface. When the drum rotates and a viewer looks through the slots, the successive images are glimpsed in quick succession, producing the appearance of movement through persistence of vision.

Construction and use: A typical zoetrope is a hollow wheel with a viewing slit for each segment. Inside, a strip bearing a sequence of drawings or photographs is fixed. As the drum spins, the slots momentarily reveal each image to the viewer in rapid order, simulating motion. Frame counts and rotation speed determine the smoothness of the illusion.

History: It was described by William George Horner in 1834, and was marketed in the mid-1830s under names such as the Daedalum before the term zoetrope became standard. The device was a popular form of entertainment and education in the 19th century and inspired various variants. In 1877, Charles-Émile Reynaud developed the praxinoscope, a successor that used mirrors to create a steadier image and improved brightness.

Legacy and impact: The zoetrope helped establish the concept of sequenced imagery as a basis for motion pictures and influenced early filmmakers and animators. Although largely supplanted by cinema, it remains a common toy and educational demonstration, with contemporary recreations and art installations that explore animation principles.