LESSON 6 THAUMATROPE COURSE CODE: EANI0323
Objectives: 1. Understand the historical significance of the thaumatrope as an early animation device. 2. Explain the principles of persistence of vision and phi phenomenon in relation to the thaumatrope's animation effect. 3. Engage in hands-on creation and experimentation with thaumatropes to observe the animation effect. Pre Assessment 1. The thaumatrope's animation effect relies on the concept of: a) Persistence of sound b) Persistence of touch c) Persistence of motion d) Persistence of taste 2. What is the primary purpose of the string or stick in a thaumatrope? a) Decoration b) Stability c) Visual appeal d) Spinning motion 3.Which of the following is NOT a common thaumatrope design? a) Bird and cage b) Fish and fishbowl c) Horse and rider d) Tree and flower 4. The phi phenomenon is associated with: a) Optical illusions b) Musical composition c) Digital technology d) Sculpture 5. The popularity of the thaumatrope declined due to:
a) Lack of interest from inventors b) Advancements in animation techniques c) Government regulations d) High production costs Lesson Proper History of Thaumatrope The thaumatrope is a simple optical toy that was popular during the 19th century. It is considered one of the earliest forms of animation devices. The history of the thaumatrope dates back to the early 19th century when it was invented independently by both John Ayrton Paris, an English physician, and Peter Mark Roget, an English scientist. The exact year of its invention is uncertain, but it is believed to have been around 1825. Peter Mark Roget John Ayrton Paris
The word "thaumatrope" comes from the Greek words "thauma" (meaning "wonder") and "trope" (meaning "turning" or "to turn"). The name reflects the sense of wonder and illusion created by this simple toy. The thaumatrope consists of a small disc or card with different images or drawings on each side. These images are typically related or complementary to each other. A string or stick is attached to the disc, allowing it to be twirled rapidly between the fingers. When the disc is spun, the persistence of vision principle comes into play. This principle states that the human eye retains an image for a fraction of a second after it disappears from view. As the disc rotates quickly, the two different images on its sides blend together, creating the illusion of a single, combined image. Common thaumatrope designs include a bird on one side and a cage on the other, a fish and a fishbowl, or a horse and its rider. When spun, the bird appears to be inside the cage, the fish appears to be swimming in the fishbowl, or the rider appears to be mounted on the horse. The thaumatrope became a popular toy in the 19th century, captivating both children and adults with its simple yet mesmerizing animation effect. It served as a precursor to more complex animation devices and techniques that would emerge in the following decades. The popularity of the thaumatrope eventually waned as more sophisticated optical toys and animation techniques were developed. However, its contribution to the history of animation cannot be overlooked, as it laid the foundation for the evolution of moving pictures and the art of animation that we enjoy today. Theories and principles of thaumatrope The thaumatrope operates based on two main principles: persistence of vision and phi phenomenon. These principles contribute to the illusion of motion created by the thaumatrope. 1. Persistence of Vision: This principle refers to the phenomenon where the human eye retains an image for a short duration of time after it disappears from view. When the thaumatrope is spun rapidly, the persistence of vision allows the brain to blend the images on both sides of the disc, creating the illusion of a single, combined image. 2. Phi Phenomenon: The phi phenomenon is another visual principle involved in the thaumatrope's animation effect. It relates to the perception of motion when two or more static images are presented in quick succession. In the case of the thaumatrope, the rotation of the disc with different images creates a rapid succession of visual stimuli, which tricks the brain into perceiving continuous motion.
These principles work together to deceive the human visual system, making the separate images on the thaumatrope's disc appear as if they are moving or combined. The brain processes the successive images quickly and interprets them as a single, coherent image or scene. The thaumatrope's animation effect showcases how the brain processes visual information and creates the illusion of motion. It laid the foundation for the development of more advanced animation techniques and devices that followed, such as the zoetrope and eventually the invention of motion pictures. 2 Types of Thaumatrope A. B.
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Materials: - Pencil - Scissors - Glue - Skewer stick - Two cutout circles - Cardboard or equivalent Instructions: 1. Cut out the two circles from the last page of these instructions. Trace the circles onto cardboard then cut and glue each paper circle to a cardboard circle. 2. Once you have decided on your drawing, take one of the circles and draw one element. Then take the second circle and draw the other part. Be sure to place things in the spot you want them to be in. B.
3. Taking one of the two circles, flip it over and dab some glue to the back. 4. Place the skewer stick vertically down the center of the circle. Place the second circle, making sure it is right side up, on top and gently hold everything together as it dries. 5. Once everything has dried, place the Thaumatrope handle/stick in the palm of your hands. Roll the stick between your palms to spin theThaumatrope and watch your drawings come to life.
Learning Activity 1 Materials: • Pencil • Scissors • Glue • Skewer stick or straw • Two cutout circles (provided in the instructions) • Cardboard or equivalent (optional) Instructions: 1. Cut the two circles provided If available, they you can trace the circles onto cardboard and then cut and glue each paper circle to a cardboard circle for added durability. 2. Decide on your desired drawings for the thaumatrope. Be creativity and use complementary images or elements. 3. Using a pencil, draw one element on one of the circles, and the other part on the second circle. Emphasize placing the elements in the desired spots. 4. Taking one of the circles, flip it over and apply some glue to the back. 5. Place the skewer stick or straw vertically down the center of the glued circle. Then, you should place the second circle (right side up) on top, aligning the drawings. 6. Be gently hold everything together as it dries, ensuring that the drawings on both circles are properly aligned. 7. Once the glue has dried, you can hold the thaumatrope handle/stick in your palms. Roll roll the stick between their palms to spin the thaumatrope and observe the animation effect as the drawings come to life. 8. Summarize the activity by highlighting the historical significance of the thaumatrope and its contribution to the development of animation techniques. Discuss how the concepts learned can be applied to other forms of animation or optical illusions. Summary of the Lesson The topic discussed is the thaumatrope, a simple optical toy that was popular in the 19th century and considered one of the earliest forms of animation devices. The history of the
thaumatrope dates back to the early 19th century when it was independently invented by John Ayrton Paris and Peter Mark Roget. The thaumatrope consists of a small disc with different images on each side, which, when spun, creates an illusion of a single, combined image due to the persistence of vision and phi phenomenon. The activity involves creating thaumatropes using provided materials and exploring the animation effect by spinning the disc with drawings. The purpose of the activity is to learn about the principles and history of the thaumatrope while engaging in a hands-on experience of creating and observing the animation effect. Post Assessment 1. Who invented the thaumatrope? a) John Ayrton Paris b) Peter Mark Roget c) Both a) and b) d) Unknown 2. The thaumatrope is considered one of the earliest forms of: a) Photography b) Animation devices c) Virtual reality d) Musical instruments 3. What principle allows the thaumatrope's animation effect to occur? a) Persistence of vision b) Persistence of sound c) Persistence of touch d) Persistence of taste 4. The term "thaumatrope" comes from which language? a) Latin b) French c) Greek d) German
5. What is the purpose of the string or stick attached to the thaumatrope? a) To make it spin rapidly b) To hang it as a decoration c) To protect the images on the disc d) To measure its circumference 6. The phi phenomenon is related to: a) Persistence of sound b) Perception of motion c) Optical illusions d) Musical composition 7. Which of the following is NOT a common thaumatrope design? a) Bird and cage b) Fish and fishbowl c) Horse and rider d) Dog and cat 8. The thaumatrope became popular during which century? a) 17th century b) 18th century c) 19th century d) 20th century 9. As more advanced animation techniques were developed, the popularity of the thaumatrope: a) Increased b) Stayed the same c) Decreased d) Became extinct 10. What is the purpose of the thaumatrope activity? a) To learn about ancient civilizations b) To create a musical instrument c) To explore the animation effect
d) To study the human brain 11. The thaumatrope is based on the principle of: a) Persistence of smell b) Persistence of taste c) Persistence of vision d) Persistence of touch 12. How do the two images on a thaumatrope appear to blend together? a) Through the process of painting b) Through the use of magnets c) Due to the rapid rotation of the disc d) Through the application of heat 13.The thaumatrope is considered a precursor to: a) Television b) Virtual reality c) Motion pictures d) Video games 14. The term "thaumatrope" translates to: a) Wonder device b) Animation creator c) Optical illusion d) Magic wand 15. Which two inventors independently invented the thaumatrope? a) John Paris and Peter Roget b) John Smith and Peter Parker c) John Adams and Peter James d) John Newton and Peter Pan
Self-evaluation / Performance Task Title: Thaumatrope Creation and Reflection Task Description: Rely on your Activity create a video reflection on the process and the scientific principles behind the thaumatrope's animation effect. Rubrics: Creativity and Design (30 points) • The thaumatrope demonstrates unique and visually appealing designs. • Complementary images are well chosen and effectively displayed. • Creative elements, colors, and details enhance the overall design. Craftsmanship and Presentation (25 points) • The thaumatrope is neatly assembled with secure attachments. • Images are drawn or printed clearly and centered on the disc. • The disc spins smoothly and displays the animation effect effectively. Understanding of Scientific Principles (30 points) • Reflection demonstrates a clear understanding of persistence of vision and phi phenomenon. • The explanation of how these principles contribute to the thaumatrope's animation effect is accurate and detailed. • Connections are made between the scientific principles and the observed animation effect. Reflection and Analysis (15 points) • Reflection demonstrates thoughtful analysis of the thaumatrope creation process. • Student identifies challenges encountered and strategies used to overcome them. • Insightful connections are made between the experience of creating a thaumatrope and the historical significance of early animation devices. Answer Key Pre Assessment 1. C 2. D 3. D
4. A 5. B Post Assessment 1. C 2. B 3.A 4. C 5. A 6. B 7. D 8. C 9. C 10. C 11. C 12. C 13. C 14. A 15. A