1.1 Pre-cinema optical devices and persistence of vision
4 min read•july 30, 2024
Before movies, clever devices tricked our eyes into seeing motion. Spinning discs, flipbooks, and projection toys laid the groundwork for animation. These inventions exploited how our brains process images, creating the illusion of movement from still pictures.
, the key to this magic, makes images linger in our minds. This phenomenon, along with other visual tricks, allowed early animators to bring drawings to life. Understanding these basics paved the way for the animated world we know today.
Pre-cinema optical devices
Spinning Disc Devices
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- demonstrated persistence of vision through spinning disc with complementary images on each side (invented 1820s)
- created illusion of motion using spinning disc with sequential images viewed through slits (developed 1832)
- expanded on phenakistoscope concept utilizing rotating drum with vertical slits to view strip of sequential images (popularized 1860s)
- improved upon zoetrope by replacing slits with mirrored drum providing clearer and brighter image (invented 1877)
- Allowed for longer viewing time and reduced eye strain
- Inspired development of more advanced projection systems
Portable and Projection Devices
- allowed for portable and interactive animation through series of sequential images bound together (patented 1868)
- Enabled creation of longer animated sequences
- Influenced development of hand-drawn animation techniques
- projected static images and later incorporated moving elements (dating back to 17th century)
- Served as precursor to animated projections
- Introduced concept of image magnification for larger audiences
Scientific Motion Study Devices
- captured sequential photographs on single plate (developed by Étienne-Jules Marey in 1882)
- Influenced scientific study of motion and early animation techniques
- Laid groundwork for development of high-speed photography
- Contributed to understanding of animal and human locomotion for animators
Persistence of vision and motion
Perceptual Phenomena
- Persistence of vision causes afterimage to remain on retina for brief period after removal of original stimulus (typically lasting about 1/25th of second)
- describes perception of continuous motion between separate objects viewed in rapid succession
- Contributes to smooth appearance of motion in animation
- Exploited in techniques like limited animation
- represents frequency at which intermittent light stimuli appear completely steady to observer (typically around 60 Hz for humans)
- Influences standards in animation and film
Application in Animation
- Persistence of vision enables individual static images to blend into continuous stream when presented in rapid succession creating illusion of motion
- Fundamental to all forms of animation and motion pictures allowing discrete frames to be perceived as fluid movement
- Works in conjunction with other perceptual processes ( and phi phenomenon) to create convincing illusion of motion
- Beta movement perception of motion created by static images in sequence
- Phi phenomenon perception of motion between stationary objects
Historical Significance
- Exploitation of persistence of vision in early optical devices laid groundwork for development of modern animation and cinematography techniques
- Understanding of this phenomenon led to experimentation with frame rates and timing in animation
- Influenced development of techniques like squash and stretch to enhance perception of motion
Early optical devices and animation evolution
Foundational Principles
- Early optical devices established foundational principles of frame-by-frame animation influencing development of cel animation and stop-motion techniques
- Concept of creating sequential images for optical devices directly informed practice of keyframing in modern animation
- Keyframing defining key poses to create movement
- Breakdown poses filling in motion between key poses
- Limitations of early devices (loop length in zoetropes) encouraged animators to develop techniques for creating compelling short sequences
- Skills valuable in modern animation (animated GIFs, short-form content)
Technical Advancements
- Praxinoscope's use of mirrors to create smoother motion influenced development of more sophisticated projection systems for animation and film
- Experimentation with early optical devices led to better understanding of frame rates and their impact on perception of motion
- Informed standards in animation and film projection (24 fps for film, 30 fps for video)
- Study of motion through devices like chronophotographic gun contributed to development of rotoscoping and motion capture techniques in animation
- Rotoscoping tracing over live-action footage to create animated sequences
- Motion capture recording movement of actors to apply to digital characters
Interactive and Engaging Animation
- Interactive nature of devices like flipbooks and zoetropes fostered appreciation for user engagement
- Influenced development of interactive animation in digital media (video games, interactive web animations)
- Early optical toys created foundation for understanding viewer interaction with animated content
- Led to development of techniques for creating engaging and immersive animated experiences
Key Terms to Review (21)
Beta movement: Beta movement is the visual phenomenon where an observer perceives a series of still images presented in quick succession as smooth, continuous motion. This effect relies on the brain's ability to interpret the slight changes between frames, creating the illusion of motion, which is fundamental in various pre-cinema optical devices and connects directly to the concept of persistence of vision.
Chronophotographic gun: The chronophotographic gun is a pioneering device invented by French scientist Étienne-Jules Marey in the late 19th century that captures multiple phases of motion in a single exposure. This innovative tool combined elements of photography and motion analysis, allowing for the sequential capture of rapid movements, which was essential in understanding physical actions and improving techniques in both science and the emerging field of animation.
Critical Flicker Fusion Rate: Critical flicker fusion rate is the frequency at which a flickering light source is perceived as a steady, continuous light. This phenomenon is linked to the persistence of vision, which allows our eyes and brain to process rapid sequences of images as a single motion. Understanding this rate helps in exploring how early optical devices achieved the illusion of movement and how they influenced the development of animation.
Entertainment technology: Entertainment technology refers to the tools, devices, and systems used to create, deliver, and experience various forms of entertainment. This encompasses a wide range of innovations, from pre-cinema optical devices that first harnessed visual effects to contemporary digital platforms that facilitate immersive storytelling. Understanding entertainment technology involves recognizing its historical evolution and how these advancements have shaped audience engagement and the production of animated content.
Flipbook: A flipbook is a simple animation format that consists of a series of images or drawings arranged in sequence on separate pages, which when flipped quickly creates the illusion of motion. This device is one of the earliest forms of animation, showcasing the principles of persistence of vision, where the human eye retains an image for a fraction of a second after it has disappeared. Flipbooks highlight how sequential art can convey movement and tell stories even without advanced technology.
Frame rate: Frame rate refers to the frequency at which consecutive images or frames are displayed in a given period of time, usually measured in frames per second (fps). This concept is critical in understanding how motion is represented in animation and film, as it influences the smoothness of movement and the overall viewing experience. A higher frame rate can result in smoother visuals, while a lower frame rate may produce a choppier effect, both of which are significant when considering early optical devices and the science behind persistence of vision.
Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution refers to the period of significant economic transformation that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, characterized by the shift from agrarian economies to industrialized ones. This shift was marked by the introduction of machinery, factory systems, and mass production, fundamentally changing the way goods were produced and consumed. It laid the groundwork for advancements in technology and communication that would eventually lead to modern forms of entertainment, including animation.
Joseph Plateau: Joseph Plateau was a Belgian physicist and pioneer in the field of animation, best known for inventing the phenakistoscope in 1832. His work laid foundational principles for understanding persistence of vision, which is crucial in creating the illusion of motion in animated images. By using simple optical devices, Plateau demonstrated how sequential images could trick the human eye into perceiving motion, influencing the development of later cinematic techniques.
Magic lantern: The magic lantern is an early type of image projector that used a light source to project images painted on glass slides onto a screen or wall. This device played a crucial role in the development of visual entertainment and storytelling, allowing images to be viewed by larger audiences, which paved the way for future innovations in cinema and animation.
Mass media: Mass media refers to various means of communication that reach a large audience simultaneously, including television, radio, newspapers, and the internet. This term encompasses both traditional and digital forms of communication that disseminate information and entertainment to the public, playing a significant role in shaping culture, societal norms, and public opinion.
Paris Exposition: The Paris Exposition was a world's fair held in Paris, showcasing advancements in technology, culture, and art. Notably, the 1900 Exposition included exhibitions of early motion picture technology, highlighting the evolution of visual entertainment and introducing new optical devices that played a crucial role in the development of animation and cinema.
Persistence of Vision: Persistence of vision is a phenomenon where the human eye retains an image for a fraction of a second after the source has disappeared, creating the illusion of motion when a series of still images are shown in rapid succession. This optical effect is crucial to the understanding of how early animation works, allowing frames to blend together seamlessly and giving rise to the art of animated storytelling.
Phenakistoscope: The phenakistoscope is an early animation device that creates the illusion of motion through a series of still images displayed in rapid succession. It was invented in 1832 by Joseph Plateau and is considered one of the first true forms of animation technology, relying on the principle of persistence of vision to engage the viewer's perception.
Phi phenomenon: The phi phenomenon is an optical illusion that occurs when a series of still images are presented in quick succession, creating the perception of motion. This effect is closely related to the principles of persistence of vision, where the human eye retains an image for a brief moment after it has disappeared, allowing the brain to perceive continuity in a sequence of images. Understanding this phenomenon was crucial for the development of early animation techniques and devices.
Praxinoscope: The praxinoscope is an early animation device invented in 1877 by Charles-Émile Reynaud that enhanced the earlier phenakistoscope by using a series of mirrors to create a more fluid motion. It allows viewers to see a sequence of images as if they are moving, making it a significant advancement in the history of animation technology. This device contributed to the understanding of persistence of vision and represented a leap forward in visual entertainment.
Thaumatrope: A thaumatrope is an early optical device that creates the illusion of motion by combining two different images on either side of a disc, which is spun rapidly. This simple invention exploits the principle of persistence of vision, where the eye retains an image for a fraction of a second after it has disappeared, allowing viewers to perceive the two images as one cohesive motion. It served as a precursor to more complex animation techniques and highlighted early experiments in visual perception.
The Great Exhibitions: The Great Exhibitions were large-scale public events held in the 19th century that showcased advancements in technology, industry, and culture. These exhibitions served as a platform for nations to display their innovations and foster international exchange, significantly influencing the development of art, design, and the perception of progress during this era.
Victorian Era: The Victorian Era refers to the period of Queen Victoria's reign over the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901, marked by significant cultural, industrial, political, scientific, and military changes. This time saw the rise of new technologies and innovations that influenced various art forms, including animation, laying the groundwork for visual storytelling through the understanding of optical devices and persistence of vision.
Visual continuity: Visual continuity refers to the seamless and consistent flow of images in animation and film that helps the viewer understand the narrative and maintain immersion. It involves creating a coherent visual experience by ensuring that elements such as space, time, and motion are logically aligned across frames. This principle is crucial in preventing disorientation, allowing audiences to follow the story without interruption or confusion.
William George Horner: William George Horner was a British mathematician and inventor known primarily for creating the 'zoetrope' in 1834, an early optical device that produced the illusion of motion. His invention contributed significantly to the understanding of persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon where an afterimage is perceived after the original image has disappeared, making it possible to create animated sequences from still images.
Zoetrope: A zoetrope is an early optical device that creates the illusion of motion by displaying a series of sequential images through a cylindrical drum. When the drum is spun, viewers looking through slits in the sides see the images appear to animate, showcasing the fundamental principles of persistence of vision. This invention was pivotal in the development of animation technology, linking pre-cinema optical devices with the eventual creation of animated films.