Phenakistoscope is an early animation device that creates the illusion of motion by displaying a sequence of drawings or photographs. Invented by Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau in 1832, it consists of a disc with a series of images, each slightly different from the next, arranged radially around the center. Evenly spaced slits are cut around the edges of the disc. When the disc is spun and viewed through the moving slits, the images appear to animate, creating the impression of motion. This optical illusion relies on the persistence of vision, a phenomenon where the human eye retains an image for a fraction of a second after it has been removed. The phenakistoscope was a precursor to more advanced animation devices such as the zoetrope and the praxinoscope, paving the way for the development of modern cinema. It was not only a scientific demonstration of the principles of motion perception but also a popular Victorian-era parlor toy that introduced the concept of moving images to a wide audience.
animation, optical illusion, persistence of vision, motion perception
CITATION : "John Armstrong. 'Phenakistoscope.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=433443 (Accessed on July 04, 2025)"
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