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Praxinoscope
Charles
Reynaud, 1877
History
| How it works | What
became of it | Video Demonstrations
Sources | Side View
| Back to Optical Toys
History:
The
praxinoscope, invented in 1877 by the Frenchman Charles Reynaud,
was the first device to overcome the picture distortion caused
by viewing through moving slots. The image produced
is more brilliant than with any previous devices. Because
of this advance, it quickly replaced the zoetrope in popularity.
How
it works:
A
band of pictures is placed inside a shallow outer cylinder,
so that each picture is reflected by the inner set of mirrors.
The number of mirrors is equal to the number of pictures,
and the images of the pictures are viewed in the mirrors.
When the outer cylinder rotates, the quick succession of reflected
pictures gives the illusion of a moving picture.
What
became of it:
Using
this principle, Reynaud found a way to project the series
of pictures onto a screen. He called this the "Theatre
Optique." A standard praxinoscope, like the one
above, can only accomodate a second or two of animation because
of the limited number of pictures it contains. Reynaud's
"Theatre Optique" used a long roll of paper to increase
the number of pictures, and was therefore able to create a
much longer show for an audience.
Links
to video demonstrations:
Streamed
(requires RealPlayer G2 or higher)
Fast
connection (T1/LAN/DSL/cable) only
All
connections
For
higher video quality in a downloadable file
Video for Windows
QuickTime
Sources:
Background
information:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~natsinas/REYNAUD.html
How
it works:
http://www.imag-n-that.com/prax/howdoes.html
How
to make your own praxinoscope kit:
http://www.imag-n-that.com/prax/praxin.html
Click here
to see a side view of the praxinoscope.
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