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Busselton Historical Society > Records

Chromatrope

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Overview

The chromatrope or “artificial firework” is a mechanical magic lantern slide and early medium for producing moving images. Similar mechanisms were used from the early 19th century by phantasmagoria showmen but the chromatrope was not widely known until the mid 19th century.
Chromatropes used a rackwork mechanism or twisted band to revolve two glass discs in opposite directions. These discs were usually painted with abstract patterns and were capable of producing astoundingly complex visual effects given their relatively simple form.
https://kieranbrowne.com/research/how-chromatropes-work/

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cwa-org-124-2023.4

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ROOM 1.27 General Exhibits

Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

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Chromatrope

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