News — Zoetrope Kingston

Eadweard Muybridge: The Kingston Innovator Who Transformed Motion and Animation History Eadweard Muybridge. Long before Hollywood, CGI or modern cameras, Muybridge’s experimental photographs transformed the way the world understood movement. His work created a crucial link between early optical toys like the zoetrope and the birth of modern motion pictures. Today, his influence can still be seen every time we watch a film, study animation, or spin a zoetrope. And for me personally, his story holds a special connection: Eadweard Muybridge was born in Kingston upon Thames and also died in Kingston, just a short distance from where I (Jo)...

Eadweard Muybridge Eadwaeard Muybridge was born in Kingston upon Thames, England, on April 9, 1830, and passing away on May 8, 1904, was a pivotal figure in the history of motion pictures, although his direct involvement with the zoetrope and praxinoscope was limited. Muybridge's primary contribution to the field was through his pioneering work in motion photography, which laid the groundwork for the development of cinema. Muybridge's most famous work began in 1872 when he was hired by Leland Stanford, a Californian governor and race-horse owner, to settle a debate about whether all four feet of a horse leave the...

Zoetrope Invented by William George Horner William George Horner, an English mathematician and educator, born in 1786 in Bristol, England, made a significant contribution to the field of optical entertainment through the invention of the zoetrope.In 1834, Horner invented the zoetrope, which he originally named the "Daedalum" or "Daedatelum." His invention came at a time of significant interest in optical toys and devices that demonstrated the illusion of motion.The zoetrope is a cylindrical device with slits cut vertically in the sides. Inside the cylinder, a strip of sequential images is placed. When the cylinder is spun and viewed through the...

I have a passion for the magic lanterns known as zoetrope and prazinoscopes, also known as the wheel of life! Ive even had 151,000 views on one of my Youtube videos! Ive been selling them for years and sell them to film industry, schools, museums, royalty, collectors and people who just love unusual and quirky! Thought it was about time i shared my love of Zoetrope Animation and Praxinoscope with you lovely people! I ship these globally and there are a few different sizes! 20 animation strips with each one. Many people also make their own! For those that may...

The zoetrope was invented by William George Horner in 1833-1834. William lived in Kingston upon Thames in South West London. His house still stands and there is a blue commemorative plaque on the house to acknowledge his invention.  The zoetrope means "wheel of life" and was created by William following his interest and study of movement. He was interested in studying the movement of humans and animals, a collection of his drawings can still be found in the Kingston Museum, where there is a whole section dedicated to William Horner and his zoetrope invention. Whilst William Horner is acknowledged as...