Optical toys

Optical toys form a group of scientific optical devices with some entertainment value. Many of these were also known as "philosophical toys" when they were developed in the 19th century.

The phenakistiscope, zoetrope, praxinoscope and flip book a.o. are often seen as precursors of film, leading to the invention of cinema at the end of the 19th century. In the 21st century this narrow teleological vision was questioned and the individual qualities of these media gained renewed attention of researchers in the fields of the history of film, science, technology and art. The new digital media raised questions about our knowledge of media history. The tactile qualities of optical toys that allow the viewer to study and play with the moving image in his own hands, seem more attractive in a time when digitalisation makes the moving image less tangible.^[1]

Several philosophical toys were developed through scientific experimentation, then turned into scientific amusements that demonstrated new ideas and theories in the fields of optics, physics, electricity, mechanics, etc. and ended up as toys for children.^[2]

Some camera obscura demonstrations were part of the cabinets of curiosities that emerged at royal courts in the 16th century. Optical tabletop instruments such as the compound microscope and telescope were used for parlour entertainment in richer households since the 17th century.

Other, larger devices, such as peep shows were usually exhibited by travelling showmen at fairs.

List of optical toys

References