Have you ever wondered how cartoons were made before computers, tablets, and animation software? Long before modern movies and digital cartoons, scientists and inventors used clever optical devices to make pictures appear to move. One of the most fascinating of these inventions is the praxinoscope.
What Is a Praxinoscope?
A praxinoscope is an early animation device invented in 1877 by French inventor Charles-Émile Reynaud. It creates the illusion of motion by showing a rapid sequence of drawings, each slightly different from the last.
When these images are viewed in quick succession, our brain blends them together and sees smooth movement—just like a cartoon. This happens when the speed of images is greater than ten frames per second (fps) because when observer view pictures with rate of ten frames per second, the brain interprets those images as if there is sense of motion.
How Does a Praxinoscope Work?
A traditional praxinoscope consists of three main parts:
- A circular drum
- An animation disc placed inside the drum
- A ring of mirrors positioned in the center
As the drum spins, each mirror reflects one drawing at a time. The image change rapidly as the drum rotates. The brain perceives those images into a moving scene.
Why Is the Praxinoscope Important?
The praxinoscope is an important step in the history of animation because:
- It helped scientists understand persistence of vision.
- It laid the foundation for cartoons, films, and modern animation.
- It improved image clarity and reduced distortion.
Every animated movie you watch today—2D, 3D uses the same basic idea introduced by devices like the praxinoscope: many still images shown quickly can create motion.
Praxinoscope and Modern Animation
While modern animation uses digital tools for making cartoons, however the principles underlying praxinoscope are still very much alive in modern animation.
Following are some common limitation of Praxinoscope:
- Praxinoscope were mechanical and manual devices
- They can show only very short looping animations.
- Modern cartoons need sound, color, long scenes, editing, and effects, which praxinoscopes can’t handle
Praxinoscope – Great tool for STEM Learning
The 4M Disney Animation Studio Praxinoscope is a hands-on build-and-play kit that brings the science of early animation to life in a fun and engaging way. This creative set lets kids (and adults!) assemble their own working praxinoscope, a classic optical animation device invented over 170 years ago that demonstrates the foundational science behind cartoons and motion pictures.
Once constructed, the kit includes multiple animation discs with pre-printed sequences, and blank discs for drawing your own animations — so you can create mini movies that magically animate as the praxinoscope spins. A special light or bulb feature lets users view the animations even in lower light, making the experience even more immersive.
If you are beginner to animations, it has blank disc with grids printed on it. The grids will make it easier for your to make animation frames.
The praxinoscope may be over a century old, but its impact is still everywhere—from cartoons and movies to video games and animations we enjoy today. By experimenting with a praxinoscope, we get a glimpse into the science, creativity, and curiosity that sparked the world of animation.
Sometimes, the best way to understand modern technology is to explore the simple inventions that started it all.
If you are interested to buy Disney’s 4M Disney Animation Studio Praxinoscope, click here: https://www.amazon.ae/4M-D406206-Disney-Animation-Praxinoscope/dp/B08NK4VHH5