used the illusion persistence of
vision— when the eye retains image short time after has
disappeared. Many other machines were
available that used moving pictures give the illusion of
movement. Edison knew all about the zoetrope and had bought
several other similar toys.VI-32
which focused light chalk drum. The revolving cylinder— a
recuring motif Edison's inventions— was often the format of
toys that gave the visual impression movement, such the
zoetrope.G. The
photographer Eadweard Muybridge greatly impressed Edison and
. This apparatus shows how
Edison used photographic techniques his thinking about
O Q
recording and reproducing sounds revolving drum. His first experiments West
Orange were directed finding mechanical means exploit
the persistence vision phenomenon moving images quickly
past the viewer's line sight.
In his attempt join sight and sound, Edison naturally
hoped achieve visual reproduction the same mechanical
form reproduced sound, using the phonograph analogy in
his first experimental apparatus. was
always alert opportunities presented technological
advance and quick exploit the work others. Horner. The zoetrope was comprised number pictures
viewed through slots cylinder; the cylinder was turned
the pictures appeared move. This device was the work English mathematician
W.
The rapid development photography the years after
the Civil War gave Edison encouragement and inspiration
