eToys: Make a Fantascope

To make your own fantascope...

You will need:

• Graphic (downloadable - see below)
• Colour Printer
• Black card
• Cork
• Drawing Pin
• Mirror
• Scissors
• Glue

1. Firstly you will need a graphic for your fantascope. Select one from the list below then download and print both halves of the graphic.
   
   

   Cyclist	Dancers	Juggler
   doc | pdf	doc | pdf	doc | pdf

   
   
2. Once you have printed both parts of your chosen graphic you then need to stick the two halves together onto the black card. The circular slotted disc should then be carefully cut out.
3. Your fantacsope is now almost ready to use. Carefully push the pin through the centre of the picture side of the disc and into the cork.
4. To use your fantascope hold the cork and look through a slot at a mirror. You should be able to see the top half of the mirrored image. Holding the cork still spin the disc and you should see the moving picture in the mirror! Experiment with the speed and position of the fantascopt to get the best picture

Design your own fantascope

Instructions on design and make your own fantascopse based on your own drawings.

Find out more

You can find out more about the Fantascope and other optical toys such as the Zoetrope from:

The Bill Dougals Centre of Film and Moving Images.