Classic Praxinoscope

Praxinoscope is a beautiful reproduction of the incredible invention of Frenchman Emile Reynaud 🧐

How does the Praxinoscope work? Quite simply:

It transforms static images into a moving sequence, thanks to retinal persistence. A circular drum is rotated, the mirrors in the centre of which reflect images drawn on strips of paper placed around them. The spectator looks over the instrument and can thus observe an animation of a clear sequence, in which the images merge and the elements come to life.

Who invented the Praxinoscope?
Emile Reynaud patented it in 1877. Reynaud's (not "Raynaud"!) contribution made it possible to eliminate the distortion of the vision of moving images caused by the insufficient light received by the images of the Praxinoscope's predecessor: the Zootrope.

What are the main differences between the zootrope and the praxinoscope?
In the zootrope the viewer observes the rotating drum from the rectangular holes arranged on the strip of the sequence of images and in the praxinoscope the viewer sees the animation in the mirrors arranged at angles that reflect the strip of drawings.

In Hemisferium, we produce and develop our own designs, and we assemble all the pieces by hand in our workshop in Madrid. We take care of the packaging and the quality of all the components, always looking to deliver to our customers original decorative objects of great manufacture.

This optical toy, of classic decoration, consists of a solid metal base, on which the drum with the 12 mirrors that produce the optical illusion, thanks to the reflection of the images, rotates in a smooth and balanced way.

With decoration based on images of the Circus of the late nineteenth century, early twentieth century.

Includes 20 animated picture strips.

This scientific toy with animated images also relies on the phenomenon of retinal persistence to make us believe that we see moving images.

The Praxinoscope was developed by Frenchman Emile Reynaud in 1877, who sought to overcome the shortcomings of the popular Zootrope. He eliminated the distortion in the vision of images caused by insufficient light passing through the small slits of the Zootrope and this improvement in image quality resulted in immediate popularity.

The strip is placed in front of the mirror, the drum is turned, and the movement of the images is perceived in the reflection of the mirror.

Includes 20 animated picture strips.

Measurements:

Maximum Height: 22cm / Diameter: 20cm

Reference H63 Classic Praxinoscope