Phenakistoscope Disc, Pixie with Whip and Top

PART OF:
Four discs for Stroboscope or Fantascope of miscellaneous origin
Made:
circa 1840

Phenakistoscope of Pixie with whip and top and small devil dancing. One of four discs for Stroboscope or Fantascope of miscellaneous origin.

This optical toy was invented by the Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau (1801-1883). It is held with the printed side of the disc facing a mirror. When the disc is spun the viewer looks at its reflection through the apertures on the disc's circumference and the drawings appear to move.

Details

Category:
Cinematography
Object Number:
1940-79/4
Materials:
cardboard
Measurements:
overall: 212 mm,
type:
optical toy, fantascope and phenakistoscope
credit:
The National Media Museum, Bradford