In 5 simple steps, you can restore the “paper animation” from 190 years ago!

When you chat on WeChat, do you often use some interesting animated emoticons to make the chat more interesting? In fact, as early as 1832, "animated pictures" had already appeared, but at that time, "animated pictures" did not appear on electronic devices like they do now, but were displayed on a paper disc.

The Phenakistoscope, designed by Eadweard Muybridge in 1893, depicts a couple dancing a waltz. Image source: Wikipedia

However, this kind of "paper animated picture" from 190 years ago is not as advanced as the animated emojis on mobile phones today. It can't move by itself. Instead, the observer needs to fix the disk with the image drawn on it and ensure that it can rotate freely, then lift the disk and observe it through the slit on the disk into the mirror to see the animated image:

The picture of dancing. Image source: Wikipedia

This "paper moving picture" drawn on a disc is called "Phenakistoscope". It is a simple device invented by Belgian Joseph Plateau and Austrian Simon von Stampfer in 1832. It is also the prototype of early silent films.

Using the Phenakistoscope, we can create various interesting “paper animations” for observation, such as boxers in competition:

Image source: Wikipedia

Running zebras and jumping monkeys:

Image source: thisiscolossal.com

Cat jumping on bench:

Image source: thisiscolossal.com

Flying butterflies and birds:

Image source: thisiscolossal.com

Seeing this, if you also want to make one to try, you can follow the steps below:

Materials

Hard cardboard

Pencil with eraser

glue

Scissors

I-nail

A mirror

Compass (optional)

Protractor (optional)

Ruler (optional)

Production process

first step

Draw a large circle on the cardboard with a compass, then divide the large circle into 8 equal parts with a protractor, and draw 8 slits at the end of the dividing line. The details are shown in the figure below. You can also save the picture below and print it on A4 paper, then cut it out and stick it on the cardboard.

Step 2

Draw 8 animated patterns you want to display in the 8 sector areas of the base. When drawing, be careful not to change the image in each small sector too much, otherwise it may affect the animation effect when watching.

Step 3

Use scissors to cut the phenakistoscope disk and cut off the 8 slits at the end of the bisecting line for observation.

Step 4

Use an I-neck pin to secure the phenakistoscope disk to the eraser on the end of a pencil, making sure the disk can rotate smoothly.

Step 5

Pick up the finished Phenakistoscope, stand in front of it, turn the patterned side of the Phenakistoscope toward the mirror, and make sure that you can see the pattern in the mirror through the slit. Then turn the Phenakistoscope disc, and you can see the "animated picture" you drew on paper!

Why can we see dynamic images through the slits in a rotating disk?

This is because when an object is moving quickly, its image disappears from the human eye, but the human eye can still retain its image for a short period of time. This phenomenon is called " persistence of vision ". It is also the existence of the persistence of vision that allows us to watch movies and play games without feeling like we are watching slides one by one.

In addition to the Phenakistoscope, other crafts such as the zoetrope and the "bird in a cage" made in elementary school handicraft classes all utilize the phenomenon of persistence of vision.

Image source: Gfycat

Image source: worldpress.com

Finally, I’d like to share with you some classic Phenakistoscope drawings. Let’s make them together~!

Image source: Wikipedia

Image credit: Picryl

Image credit: Picryl

Image credit: Picryl

Finally, don’t forget to show us the Phenakistoscope you made!

Author:Taoryl

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