Handmade Zoetrope

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Handmade Zoetrope

Rediscover the magic of animation with this vintage optical toy.

A precursor to motion pictures, this mesmerizing instrument brings drawings to life by creating the illusion of motion.

The Zoetrope dates back to the early 19th century, and is perhaps the most famous of optical toys. If you spin the open-top cylinder around its axis and look through the slits in the side, your brain will perceive motion in static images. Six illustrated paper strips are included to create a variety of different animations.