How does the Zoetrope work?
The zoetrope is another device that creates the illusion of motion. The Zoetrope displays a sequence of drawings showing progressive phases of motion. The device consists of a cylinder with slits cut out of the side vertically. The inner surface is coated with the images that would consist of a sequenced set. When the cynlinder is spun, the images appear to create the illusion of motion. The slits stop the pictures from simply blurring together.
The zoetrope works on the same principle as the phenakistoscope, but is more convinient in the sense that it allows more than one individual to view the images at the same time. The 'phi phenomenon (the optical illusion of perceiving continous motion between seperate objects viewed rapidly in succession) is responsible for the movement that is viewable in the zoetrope - the faster the device is spun, the smoother the motion of the animation.
The Invention in Society
The zoetrope concept can be dated back to 100BC by inventor 'Ding Huan (丁緩), however the idea is commonly misrepresentated as the design was not reported to be alike the 1833 design. During the Han Dynasty, the invention was purely viewed as entertainment as the government controlled areas did not give a stress-free environment for the culture.
The basic drum design was invented by 'William George Horner (1786-1837)'. His design had the revolving drum with the slits in the sides; greatly inspired by the recently released phenakistoscope (1831). The design failed to be truly popular until the 1860s, when the variant of the drum with slits above the images was produced; this design allowed a continous stream of images to be produced, and was patented by various English and American makers.
William's zoetrope, named Dædaleum at the time, was featured in Philosophical Magazine in January 1834. The American Inventor called the new design the 'Zoetrope' meaning 'wheel of life'.
How did the Zoetrope evolve?
The earliest projected moving images on record were displayed using a zoetrope - this projection occured as early as the 1860s.
The zoetrope concept further evolved into the praxinoscope, which displaced the actual zoetrope for future practicsal use, and eventually the TV replaced all forms of this concept for visual motion.
The Subway Zoetrope
In September 1980, the filmmaker Bill Brand installed a linear zoetrope in the unused subway platform in New York City. It consists of a wall with 228 slits and behind each one, is a hand painted panel. When someone rode the subway, the movement created the illusion that the hand-painted pieces were moving. Since then, many other artists such as Joshua Spodek, have used this concept and created designs in subways.
The zoetrope is another device that creates the illusion of motion. The Zoetrope displays a sequence of drawings showing progressive phases of motion. The device consists of a cylinder with slits cut out of the side vertically. The inner surface is coated with the images that would consist of a sequenced set. When the cynlinder is spun, the images appear to create the illusion of motion. The slits stop the pictures from simply blurring together.
The zoetrope works on the same principle as the phenakistoscope, but is more convinient in the sense that it allows more than one individual to view the images at the same time. The 'phi phenomenon (the optical illusion of perceiving continous motion between seperate objects viewed rapidly in succession) is responsible for the movement that is viewable in the zoetrope - the faster the device is spun, the smoother the motion of the animation.
The Invention in Society
The zoetrope concept can be dated back to 100BC by inventor 'Ding Huan (丁緩), however the idea is commonly misrepresentated as the design was not reported to be alike the 1833 design. During the Han Dynasty, the invention was purely viewed as entertainment as the government controlled areas did not give a stress-free environment for the culture.
The basic drum design was invented by 'William George Horner (1786-1837)'. His design had the revolving drum with the slits in the sides; greatly inspired by the recently released phenakistoscope (1831). The design failed to be truly popular until the 1860s, when the variant of the drum with slits above the images was produced; this design allowed a continous stream of images to be produced, and was patented by various English and American makers.
William's zoetrope, named Dædaleum at the time, was featured in Philosophical Magazine in January 1834. The American Inventor called the new design the 'Zoetrope' meaning 'wheel of life'.
How did the Zoetrope evolve?
The earliest projected moving images on record were displayed using a zoetrope - this projection occured as early as the 1860s.
The zoetrope concept further evolved into the praxinoscope, which displaced the actual zoetrope for future practicsal use, and eventually the TV replaced all forms of this concept for visual motion.
The Subway Zoetrope
In September 1980, the filmmaker Bill Brand installed a linear zoetrope in the unused subway platform in New York City. It consists of a wall with 228 slits and behind each one, is a hand painted panel. When someone rode the subway, the movement created the illusion that the hand-painted pieces were moving. Since then, many other artists such as Joshua Spodek, have used this concept and created designs in subways.