Flipbook

                                 Flip book

What is a Flip book and how does it work?

A Flip book or "Flick Book" is a book with a series of pictures that change slightly through each page, so when then pages are turned rapidly it gives the appearance of animation this is another form of animation which uses "persistence of vision". All you need too create this "Device" is a simple fresh book and a pen/pencil or any other writing tool.

Here we have a video showing a flip book in motion but without drawings and holes punched into the flip book instead giving it the effect of an optical illusion.

The first flip book appeared in 1868, when it was patented by John Barnes Linnett (left) a lithograph printer who named the device kineograph, however  Pierre Hubert Desvignes has been generally credited with inventing the flip book.




Advantages: Cheap, easy too use. can provide fun and may be a great way too get kids into animation.

Disadvantages: May prove boring after a while, may use a lot of paper in the process of creating.

Zoetrope

Zoetrope

What is a Zoetrope?

The Zoetrope is one of many pre-film animation tools that can produce an illusion using images and drawings showing "progressive phases" of that particular motion. This is what is known as "persistence of vision" the same effect we get from the thaumatrope. The Zoetrope consists of a cylinder with slits cut vertically on the sides and on the inside you  would be able too find a sequence of pictures. As the cylinder spins the user looks through and can see the animation take place.

Who invented this device?

The inventor of the Zoetrope was a man named William George Horner a British Mathematician; Schoolmaster, headmaster and schoolkeeper. The basic drum-like form of the Zoetrope was created roughly between 1833-1834 and the inventor WGH was aware of the recently invented and closely related Phenakistoscope.

Advantages: Cheap and easy too craft, interesting, provided insight in to future forms of animation.

Disadvantages: May not be as entertaining as present day animation.

The Thaumatrope

Thaumatrope

What is a Thaumatrope?

The Thaumatrope was the first tool ever invented that was capable of tricking the persistence of vision, “ Persistence of vision is the eye's ability to retain an image for roughly 1/20 of a second after the object is gone.” It can be made by using a small disc (or any other small shapes of paper for that matter) and two pieces of string at either ends. Once the strings have been attached at either end and you have images on either side that relate to each other, you can simply twirl each side of your string and it will give the effect of something being animated. This is the earliest form of optical illusions that we know of.

Here is a video of a Thaumatrope in action.

What does the name “Thaumatrope” mean, and who invented this device?

The name Thaumatrope is said to mean “Turning Marvel” or “Wonder Turner” and has been related too Greek roots as “Thauma” means magic in Greek and “Trope” refers too something that can turn. Many have referenced  the Astronomer Sir John Herschel as the original creator, however Dr John Ayton Paris a English Physician is the most common name people would be able to think of when asked who created the Thaumatrope, as he brought it too light in 1824 as a presentation to demonstrate persistence of vision during the Victorian era where it gained popularity. Another person named William Henry Fitton an Irish Physician and amateur geologist has been claimed by certain sources as the true original creator over Paris. A man named Charles Babbage A mathematician , philosopher , inventor and mechanical engineer claims that he was introduced to the idea of a Thaumatrope by Fitton and Herschel.

Dr John Ayton Paris