This video shows simulated phenakistiscopes, created in 3DS Max. The video below shows a physical phenakistiscope, by artist Elly Stern.
A phenakistiscope consists of a cardboard disk that can be spun on a central axis. Arrayed around the disc are still images designed to be seen in sequence. When the correct angular velocity is reached, these appear to fuse into smooth motion. Key to this process is a frame through which each image is seen.
Invented by Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau in 1833, this simple device anticipated the zoetrope and other early animation techniques.
