Doug Skinner: An Archive on Your Gizmo

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Phenakistascope

July 4th, 2011 · 3 Comments

The phenakistascope was one of the earliest animation devices. The back of the wheel is black; the wheel is spun before a mirror as the viewer peers through the slots from behind. I’ve drawn a number of them. In this study, the early bird still can’t get that worm.

Tags: *Cartoons · P

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Derek // Jul 5, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    I have made a few of these.

    Found a few versions in old New York newspapers from the late 1800’s also.

  • 2 Doug // Jul 5, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    I’d love to see the ones you’ve done! And as you can see, I just posted my most elaborate phenakistascope endeavor.

  • 3 mamie // Nov 13, 2013 at 12:33 am

    That’s a really nice one. I have a similar deign on an earring.