Zoetrope research

The zoetrope is one of several animation toys which were invented in the 19th century, as people experimented with ways to make moving pictures. It was invented in 1834 in England by William Horner. The American developer, William F. Lincoln, named his toy the 'zoetrope', which means 'wheel of life'.

When you place a strip of drawings inside the zoetrope's drum, spin it and look through the slots, you will see the images come to life. Of course, they are not really alive. This illusion of motion depends on two things; persistence of vision and the phi phenomenon. The faster the drum is spun, the smoother the image that is produced.

If you look over the top of the drum when the zoetrope is spinning instead of looking through the slots all you will see is a blur. The illusion of motion is gone. The slots of the zoetrope simulate flashes of light, creating a strobe. The images you see must be interrupted by moments of darkness in order for the illusion to work. Our brains strive to make meaning from what we perceive. When we see different images close together our brains quickly create a relationship between them.

This is a link to a video I found on YouTube. It’s the Toy Story Zoetrope created by Pixar, at the Disneyland Resort, Disney's California Adventure. I think of it like a flip book put instead of pictures it uses sculptures on a spinning wheel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjSxrVXsfVM

More links to zoetropes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKEM5sYnOjE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=kI1Y2RFfXh8&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfS2kGO5lg8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHa1Y4ljB64&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p93FaJ91gcs&feature=related