Zoetrope thumbnail 1
Zoetrope thumbnail 2
Not on display

This object consists of 7 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Zoetrope

Optical Toy
ca. 1880-1900 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Optical toys were very popular in the 19th century. Many were used as family entertainment. They were seen to be both educational and fun, and were given scientific names, often derived from Greek. Zoetrope translates as ‘Wheel of Life’, a name by which it is also known. It was invented by William Horner in 1834. It did not become popular until the later 19th century, when the American games manufacturer Milton Bradley patented it. Its principal is based on persistence of vision - the fact that the eye will remember an image for a brief moment. Pictures are printed on a strip of paper, which is placed inside the drum. This is then spun, and to anyone looking through the slits it appears that the image moves.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Zoetrope
  • Zoetrope Strip
  • Zoetrope Strip
  • Zoetrope Strip
  • Zoetrope Strip
  • Zoetrope
  • Zoetrope
TitleZoetrope (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Turned wood, card and printed paper
Brief description
Wooden zoetrope and paper strips, likely made in the USA by Milton Bradley between 1880 and 1900
Physical description
A wide brown card cylinder with a wooden base on a wooden stand with slits in its sides. Long strips of paper with drawings are placed inside the cylinder.
Dimensions
  • Height: 37cm
  • Diameter: 29.5cm
Credit line
Given by Mrs Henton
Summary
Optical toys were very popular in the 19th century. Many were used as family entertainment. They were seen to be both educational and fun, and were given scientific names, often derived from Greek. Zoetrope translates as ‘Wheel of Life’, a name by which it is also known. It was invented by William Horner in 1834. It did not become popular until the later 19th century, when the American games manufacturer Milton Bradley patented it. Its principal is based on persistence of vision - the fact that the eye will remember an image for a brief moment. Pictures are printed on a strip of paper, which is placed inside the drum. This is then spun, and to anyone looking through the slits it appears that the image moves.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.76&:1 to 4-1963

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 5, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest