Thaumatrope

Made:: c. 1925 in London

maker:: Science Museum

Five early Thaumatropes, in original box. With two display devices, probably built by Science Museum workshops.

Thaumatrope discs are printed and then hand-coloured. 'To illustrate the seeming paradox of seeing an object which is out of sight and to demonstrate the faculty of the retina of the eye to retain the impression of an object after its disappearance.'

Details

Category:: Cinematography

Object Number:: 1925-770

Materials:: cardboard, paper (fibre product) and gold leaf

Measurements:: disc: 60 mm,
carton: 77 mm x 33 mm

type:: thaumatrope

credit:: The National Media Museum, Bradford

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Parts

Two display mechanisms, possibly constructed by Science Museum workshops, designed to rotate original or replica Thaumatrope discs in order to view the optical illusion of combining the two images on either side of each disc as one. A drive cable was probably attached to the pulley on the shaft at one end, and a turning handle at the other, in order to rotate the shaft.

Display Mechanism for Rotating a Thaumatrope Disc

Measurements:: whole: .34 kg

Materials:: mahogany (wood) , steel (metal) and brass (copper, zinc alloy)

Object Number:: 1925-770/1

type:: display mechanism

Five early Thaumatropes, in original box.

Five Thaumatropes

Five early Thaumatropes, in original box.

Thaumatrope discs are printed and then hand-coloured. 'To illustrate the seeming paradox of seeing an object which is out of sight and to demonstrate the faculty of the retina of the eye to re-tain the impression of an object after its disappearance.'