Zoetrope

The Zoetrope is one of the main objects that has been considered as the prelude to the origin of cinema . It consists of an instrument or an optical machine that is responsible for giving movement to a series of images that are inside by means of a circular movement . When rotated, a moving sequence can then be seen through the holes in the zoetrope. The origin of this instrument is based on the persistence of the retina , and it is basically based on the ability of our eyes to retain and process images that are in motion .

Who Invented the Zoetrope

This mechanical device was invented by William George Horner during the year 1834 . The first ones that were made were made of metal and wood and it was a great revolution during the 19th century as adults and children could enjoy it.

History

It is believed that a ceramic bowl found in Iran in thousands of years could have been the precursor of the zoetrope, this bowl had been decorated with a series of drawings of a goat that leaped towards a tree eating the leaves. These images formed a logical sequence and were distributed in such a way that when the bowl spun rapidly, the movement of the animal could be witnessed . The first instruments of this type to be created were made in the mid- 19th century and people turned them with their hands to create the illusion of movement . At the beginning of the 20th century, zoetropes ofrope and these had a handle placed on their side activated by a rope mechanism in order to create an automated cinematic illusion .

Linear zoetrope

The linear zoetrope is a type of instrument that had a screen with slits located in a vertical position, and behind them was an image with light. This image could be observed through the slits it had while advancing along the apparatus. They are very different from the cylindrical zoetropes because their geometric composition is totally different.

Zoetrope 3D

Zoetropes in three dimensions have the same principle that three-dimensional figures have. Its inventors were several, but one of the most important was Étienne-Jules Marey who used one to animate a series of figures made of plastic. Those that we can observe today do not have a drum with grids but a strobe light that is used to give light to the figures producing a clearer effect and with less distortion.

How to make a zoetrope

• First you must draw two circles on a black card with the help of a cd.
• Then, on the same cardboard, draw a rectangle that has the following measurements: 40.5 cm x 13.7 cm. Mark a line 1.5 cm from the edge and divide it into 2 cm rectangles. On the opposite edge of the card, mark a horizontal line 1.5 cm from the edge. Ask a strip of 5 cm and divide it into squares of 5 x 5 cm, then painted rectangles measuring 0.5 cm in width apart. Cut the 0.5 × 5 cm rectangles with a cutter.
• Now find a white cardboard and draw a rectangle of 43 x 5 cm, then you have to divide it into 6 cm rectangles.
• Cut the rectangles diagonally so that they measure 2 x 1.5 cm that we made at the beginning by forming triangles. This will help us to serve as a flap to glue the base of the zoetrope.
• Une with staples and tape the edges of the black paper to form a tube . The rectangles that you removed at the beginning have to be at a regular distance from each other.
• Fold the triangles from step 4 inward and glue one of the circles you cut out. Tape them together and glue the second circle inside. In the middle of the circles, making a small cut to the cardboard in the central position, go through a thick straw.
• Check that it rotates without disassembling .

What follows is to make your own drawing .

Make 6 x 5 cm squares on a white card and make a very simple drawing on them . Place the strip inside the zoetrope with the drawing visible on the inside of the zoetrope. Bring your eyes to the grooves and roll it back and forth with your hands. The strip is very easy to exchange since it is not stuck with anything. Then rotate your zoetrope at a suitable speed and you will be able to see your drawings move.