• Small pieces of paper (about the size of an index card)
• Pencils
• tape or stapler.
• Drawing materials
The thaumatrope, invented in the 19th century, is known as the precursor to modern-day animation.
Thaumatrope is just a fancy word meaning “turning marvel."
The thaumatrope relies on persistence of vision to create an illusion by blending two images drawn, into one.
PROCEDURE
Instruct children to draw a line down the center of their paper.
On the right-hand side of the card, draw an object, person, or animal to be
placed into another object (e.g.,goldfish outside of its bowl, bird outside of its cage).
On the left-hand side of the paper, draw the object that they would like the first object
to go into (e.g.,goldfish bowl,bird cage).
Instruct your students to fold the paper in half,
so that the drawings are facing outward, and then tape or staple the edges together.
The students should slip the folded card over the end of the pencil.
Make sure they tape along the upper and lower borders to secure the card to the pencil.
Instruct your students to place the pencil between the palms of their hands.
Instruct your students to place the pencil between the palms of their hands.
If they quickly roll their hands back and forth, they should see an interesting illusion.
EXPLANATION
As the thaumatrope spins, the two separate images appear as one!
The brain has trouble keeping up with the speed of the rotating card, so it blends the two images. and sees a goldfish back in its bowl! Ask the children to experiment with the speed they use to rotate the cards.
EXPLANATION
As the thaumatrope spins, the two separate images appear as one!
The brain has trouble keeping up with the speed of the rotating card, so it blends the two images. and sees a goldfish back in its bowl! Ask the children to experiment with the speed they use to rotate the cards.
