Zoetrope

Made:
1870 in unknown
maker:
Unknown

Original Zoetrope, complete with 48 bands of figures and stand.

The concept of the Zoetrope was first suggested in 1833 by the Austrian scientist Simon Stamfer (1792-1864), but it was not commercially exploited until 1867. It was a development of the Phenakistoscope (where a single visitor viewed images on a spinning disc in a mirror through slits in the disc). Using the Zoetrope, several viewers could look through slits in the drum simultaneously to see the drawings move and it became a popular optical toy.

Zoetrope with stand

Zoetrope with stand

1870
Original parts replaced on Zoetrope with stand and selection of 48 bands of figures.

Original Parts Replaced on Zoetrope

1870
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Nobody's Little Game', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope strip: 'Nobody's Little Game'

c. 1867
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Steeplechase', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope strip: 'Steeplechase'

c, 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Headwork', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope strip: 'Headwork'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'The Cure', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope strip: 'The Cure'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Red & Black Waltz', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope strip: 'Red & Black Waltz'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip, number 23 from Series No. 2, entitled 'The Coffee Grinder', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, c. 1868. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope strip: 'No. 23, The Coffee Grinder'

circa 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'The Hurdle Race' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope Strip: The Hurdle Race

c. 1869
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Light Headed', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope Strip 'Light Headed'

c. 1869
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Celarius Waltz', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope Strip 'Celarius Waltz'

c. 1869
Zoetrope strip from Series No. 5, Number 58 entitled 'Steam Scissors', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, c. 1868. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope Strip 'No. 58, Steam Scissors'

circa 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Engine & Feline', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope Strip 'Engine & Feline'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'A Bottle Imp' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope Strip 'A Bottle Imp'

c. 1869
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Perpetual Motion' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope Strip 'Perpetual Motion'

c. 1870
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Who's That Knocking at The Door', by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, about 1880. Paper and ink with watercolour wash.

Zoetrope strip: 'Who's That Knocking at The Door'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'The Wheel of Life' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.

Zoetrope strip: 'The Wheel of Life'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip from Series No. 3, No. 36, entitled 'Don't You Wish You May Get It?' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, c. 1868

Zoetrope Strip:Don't You Wish You May Get It?

circa 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'The Wild Irishman' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.

Zoetrope strip: 'The Wild Irishman'

c. 1867
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Sairy Defends Her Pattens' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.

Zoetrope strip: 'Sairy Defends Her Pattens'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Jack In A Box' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.

Zoetrope strip: Jack In A Box

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'The Little Umbrella Man' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. A pictorial representation of the saying "It's raining pitchforks", a phrase which was probably originated in Britain, but became popular in the USA.

Zoetrope strip: The Little Umbrella Man

c. 1867
Zoetrope strip entitled 'Indian Juggler' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.

Zoetrope strip: 'Indian Juggler'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'A Well Known Domestic Tragedy' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.

Zoetrope strip: 'A Well Known Domestic Tragedy'

c. 1868
Zoetrope strip entitled 'More Free Than Welcome' by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company.

Zoetrope strip: 'More Free Than Welcome'

c. 1869

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Details

Category:
Cinematography
Object Number:
1934-302
Materials:
cardboard, metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
Measurements:
overall: 370 mm x 300 mm x 300 mm,
type:
zoetrope
credit:
The National Media Museum, Bradford

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