1A scientific toy devised in the 19th century, consisting of a disc with a different picture on each of its two sides, these appearing to combine into one image when the disc is rapidly rotated.
The thaumatrope is a simple device with two different images, one on the front and one on the back.
She will get to make thaumatropes, which are cardboard disks with drawings on them suspended on string.
Once kids have gotten a feel for what animation is about with thaumatropes, it's time to move on to flip books.
You might also notice as the thaumatrope spins that the illusion is the strongest near its center line, or axis, where the pictures are most continuously visible.
Below you see the two sides of an early 20th century thaumatrope of a horse and circus bare back rider.
Twirl the thaumatrope by rolling the string between thumb and forefinger of each hand as fast as you can.
Viewing the spinning thaumatrope disc the brain imagines the intervening motion thus creating a ‘moving picture.’
As the thaumatrope spins, the series of quick flashes is interpreted as one continuous image.
When you spin the thaumatrope, the images appear to combine, putting the parrot inside the birdcage.
You will learn how to make your own manual thaumatropes with a disk and two pieces of string.
Children and their parents will make their own thaumatropes to take home and perhaps serve as models for Christmas cards.
As the thaumatrope appeared in stores, Dr. Ayrton published a book explaining the scientific principles underlying the toy.
One of the earliest motion toys, the thaumatrope can be traced to 1826, and may be even older.
1.1
another term for zoetrope
Origin
Early 19th century: from Greek thauma 'marvel' + -tropos '-turning'.