Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The phenakistoscope, invented in 1832 was the first widespread animation device that created a fluent illusion of motion. The device consisted of a cardboard disc that contained images and a viewing slit between each pair of images. When the disc was spun, the viewer could see the moving images reflected in a mirror.
The zoetrope, invented in 1834 is another early animation device that creates an optical illusion of motion. Unlike the phenakistoscope, which only allows one viewer to see the motion of images, the zoetrope allows several viewers to see the optical illusion of moving images. The zoetrope and phenakistoscope were also animated with a stroboscope.
In recent years, digitized phenakistoscopes have become popular. These are created with animation software where a phenakistoscope disc is made to rotate while the entire disc is sampled at a calculated frame rate to display the animation. This technique has been used to create digital versions of classic phenakistoscopes as well as new animations.
Timestamps
00:25: Phenakistoscope run by an electrostatic motor
00:55: Digitized animation
01:20: Zoetrope animating a galloping horse
02:55: Digitized animation of a galloping horse with increasing speed
03:31: Phenakistoscope animating a swirling spiral
04:44: A view of the DC gear motor from a paper towel dispenser.
05:19: Digitized animation of a swirling spiral
Watch visual trickery with optical illusions in this playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCbYhDNjOviGGaUfn9sqxT2sFq-f14T_d
Music
Title: Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331 “Rondo Alla Turca”
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Artist: Marnie Laird for Brooklyn Classical, Piano, Oct. 23, 2018
Title: Light Cavalry Overture
Composer: Franz von Suppé
Artist: Berlin Philharmonic, conductor: Herbert von Karajan, 1985
#AnimationHistory #OpticalIllusions #VisualStorytelling #flipbook #flipkart #flipanim
The phenakistoscope, invented in 1832 was the first widespread animation device that created a fluent illusion of motion. The device consisted of a cardboard disc that contained images and a viewing slit between each pair of images. When the disc was spun, the viewer could see the moving images reflected in a mirror.
The zoetrope, invented in 1834 is another early animation device that creates an optical illusion of motion. Unlike the phenakistoscope, which only allows one viewer to see the motion of images, the zoetrope allows several viewers to see the optical illusion of moving images. The zoetrope and phenakistoscope were also animated with a stroboscope.
In recent years, digitized phenakistoscopes have become popular. These are created with animation software where a phenakistoscope disc is made to rotate while the entire disc is sampled at a calculated frame rate to display the animation. This technique has been used to create digital versions of classic phenakistoscopes as well as new animations.
Timestamps
00:25: Phenakistoscope run by an electrostatic motor
00:55: Digitized animation
01:20: Zoetrope animating a galloping horse
02:55: Digitized animation of a galloping horse with increasing speed
03:31: Phenakistoscope animating a swirling spiral
04:44: A view of the DC gear motor from a paper towel dispenser.
05:19: Digitized animation of a swirling spiral
Watch visual trickery with optical illusions in this playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCbYhDNjOviGGaUfn9sqxT2sFq-f14T_d
Music
Title: Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331 “Rondo Alla Turca”
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Artist: Marnie Laird for Brooklyn Classical, Piano, Oct. 23, 2018
Title: Light Cavalry Overture
Composer: Franz von Suppé
Artist: Berlin Philharmonic, conductor: Herbert von Karajan, 1985
#AnimationHistory #OpticalIllusions #VisualStorytelling #flipbook #flipkart #flipanim
