Electric room images
The Magic Gallery The Electric Room Mirrors Light and LensesMoving Pictures Optical Illusions
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MOVING PICTURES
Discover some amusing 19th century optical toys - and the origin of motion pictures in our magic gallery. These optical curiosities are similar to a movie cartoon consisting of a series of still images, each showing a slightly different phase of a movement and presented to us in rapid succession.
Zoetrope The Zoetrope
Invented in 1834 the zoetrope is a hollow drum with a series of slits on the upper half. A strip with the same number of slightly different images is placed in the lower half of the drum. When you spin the drum, the slits act as shutters to show the images one at a time. Each of the images shows a slightly different part of the movement which blend into a smooth motion.
The Praxinoscope
In 1822 the praxinoscope succeeded the zoetrope by replacing its narrow viewing slits with an inner circle of mirrors. When you look in the mirrors you see a rapid succession of images producing the illusion of motion, brighter then the zoetrope as there are no light slits and hence no dark phase.
Praxinoscope
Mutoscope The Mutoscope - what the butler saw
Our Mutoscope - manufactured by International Mutoscopes Reel Co, New York in about 1900.
It contains a large flick book featuring two scantily clad models. The speed at which the action takes place depends on how quickly you turn the handle!
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  What visitors thought
  I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures that were 3D when you adjust your eyes. I used to enjoy the books but had forgotten how to do it. Once I had got the hang of it again I found it quite easy.
name not supplied- visitrac survey

Fantastic! Had such a great laugh.
Jane Norman, Fife

All the optical illusions were really cool and there was a lot of stuff you could touch or kinda take a part in.
Visitor Survey 2007

As there was 7 of us, there was always something to interest every member of the group in each of the rooms. It also allowed for a lot of interaction between members of the group(aged 21 to 56). It proved to be highly enjoyable, extremely informative and good value for money.
Visitor Survey 2007

If I had to pick one thing as my favourite I would pick the projected image on the floor with the fishes which reacted to you walking on it..... I want one at home now !!
Visitor Survey 2008

Finally managing to see something in the magic eye pictures! And the optical illusions were amazing fun (particulary the one where you morph pictures of yourself into babies & chimps! & the ones where you swop faces with the person sat opposite)
Visitor Survey 2007

I found the presentation and the attractions in each room brilliant, gave us many laughs and smiles, would definately recommend and go again.
Visitor Survey 2008


 
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