Praxinoscope-theatre

Manufacturer	Émile Reynaud
Name	Praxinoscope
Place	París (France)
Date	after 1879
Register	997

The praxinoscope-theatre was an optical toy invented by Émile Reynaud in 1879. This was an evolution of the praxinoscope patented two years earlier, with the difference that it created the illusion of the movement of characters against a backdrop. It consisted of a praxinoscope built into a box, in the lid of which there was a small window through which the viewer had to look. Under this window, on the inside of the box, was the drawing of the backdrop. Midway between the window and the mirrors of the praxinoscope was an inclined panel, embellished with the design of a theatre curtain, in the centre of which was placed a rectangular opening with transparent glass that reflected the fixed decoration from the front, but which also allowed a glimpse of the mirrors of the rotating cylinder of the praxinoscope. In this way, the viewer saw the image of a character in motion on a stage. The characters of the praxinoscope-theatre strips were drawn on a black background.

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