Praxinoscope

The praxinoscope transforms static images into a moving sequence, thanks to retinal persistence. A circular drum is rotated with mirrors in the centre of the drum reflecting images drawn on strips of paper placed around it. The spectator looks over the instrument and can thus observe an animation of a clear sequence, in which the images merge and the elements come to life.

Who invented the Praxinoscope?
Emile Reynaud patented it in 1877. Reynaud's (not "Raynaud"!) contribution made it possible to eliminate the distortion of the vision of moving images caused by the insufficient light received by the images of the Praxinoscope's predecessor: the Zootrope.

What are the main differences between the zootrope and the praxinoscope?
In the zootrope the viewer observes the rotating drum from the rectangular holes arranged on the strip of the sequence of images and in the praxinoscope the viewer sees the animation in the mirrors arranged at angles that reflect the strip of drawings.

Praxinoscope
Dimensions : height 19.5 cm, diameter 14.2 cm
Includes a 20 animated pictures strip
Includes a booklet (in English) with history and uses
Designed and produced in Madrid, Spain