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.