Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to combine art with invention when you create a Thaumatrope, also known as a “wonder turner.” A thaumatrope, invented in 1826 by J.A. Paris, is an optical toy that was popular in the 19th century. A disk with a picture on each side is attached to two pieces of string. When the strings are twirled quickly between the fingers the two pictures appear to blend into one.
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