Made of plywood | Science Museum Group Collection

Television prismatic optical effects unit, formerly used by ATV, 1967-1977. A large metal and plywood frame with a set of different types of circular multiple image mult-sector prisms which mount into it - used for creating multi-image and 'kaleidoscopic' effects by placing the unit in front of the television camera lens. A moving 'kaleidoscopic' effect can be created by a studio technician turning a crank handle (connected to a leather belt) at the desired speed which rotates the prism. 'Six' interchangeable prisms, which were acquired with the unit, can create different numbers of simultaenous and/or concentric images of the same scene. These effects were frequently used in music videos of the 1960s-1980s, and also on 'live' pop music programmes such as 'Top of the Pops'. This particular unit is believed to have been the one used in the production of Queen's famous 'Bohemian Rhapsody' video during the chorus sequences where multiple images of the group appear simultaneously.

ATV television prismatic optical effects unit, c 1972

1967-1977

Search our collection

United States Army Air Force camera

NorthStar Horizon computer, 1979

Model of GPS satellite, 2014

Britannia model locomotive cab

Model of Galileo navigation satellite, 2014

Model of Courier satellite, 2014

Mobile telephone call box used in Cameroon, 2008-2012

Model guard, North Staffordshire Railway

Model of Intelsat I (EarlyBird), 2014

Railway Fireman of 1852

Engine Driver of 1852

Roadside advertising board for mobile telephone repair shop, 2012

Scale model of World View 2 observation satellite, 2014

Forest of Rods model of myoglobin

USAAF Aircraft camera, type K20, 1940-1945

Replica OneWeb Broadband Satellite

Captain John Noel's cine camera used on 1922 Everest expedition

Pilot TV-37 television receiver

Durst '243' Masking Frame

Mobile telephone call box from Cameroon, 1997-2012

Foucault pendulum explanatory exhibit.

Face mask used to study the illusion of depth reversal

The Night Mail jigsaw puzzle

Wharfedale loudspeaker unit, 1956

Self-Pitching Carbon Fibre Cyclic Pitch Propeller, prototype, with wooden transport box and steel transport box trolley

Psychometric Test, Chicago, United States of America, 1905-1915

Sports flooring with foam layer made from recycled sports shoes, United States, 2005

Flying suit

Wooden model of London Post Office microwave Tower aerial galleries

Model of World View 2 observation satellite, 2014

Diagram Showing a Nocturnal in Use, Science Museum, 1937

Teapot stand, England, 1980

Monotype Hand-Operated Pendulum Burr Removal Spindle

Model of Roadside Visibility Meter, 1980-1989

Monotype Hand-Operated Pendulum Burring Spindle

Gower-Bell pattern carbon-rod microphone, mounted on thin plywood sheet, 1881

one "white arm" detached from a scale model of World View 2 observation satellite, 2014

Century pattern testing set

BBC LSU/4A Wartime Austerity Loudspeaker

Stand for phototheodolite, designed by Prof. E.J. Mills, 1895-1905

Plywood protective box

Reaction Vessel Assembly for Polyethylene Apparatus.

Building Model for Tsunami Testing with additional component parts

Yamaha 'Silent Cello' electric violoncello, 1997-1999

mobile telephone call box, 1997-2012

Centralised Hospital-based medicine contrasted with Domestic Community-centred Practice

Yamaha 'Silent Cello' electric violoncello

Frame for ATV television prismatic optical effects unit, c 1972

ATV television prismatic optical effects unit, c 1972

3 rectangular plywood splints