Ancient Animations

Recent discoveries have suggested that paleolithic humans used flickering firelight in caves and toys known as thaumatropes to create animation effects (source). This works because of the effect known as persistence of vision. As with all theories regarding things that old, interpreting what that meant or how paleolithic humans experienced it requires a lot of research; luckily for us, we mostly play in fictional worlds, and can content ourselves with being inspired.

We call the toys thaumatropes because that is what the Victorian Era re-inventors of these toys called them; in the Western world, that is the most recent leap in their popularity.

These two sets of facts suggest entirely different costuming ideas. The paleolithic animations suggest a prop that can be used to maintain, for example, area of effect spells centered on the caster. It would be a particularly fitting prop for illusion spells. On the other hand, the Victorian era popularity suggests an opportunity for increased whimsy- especially as jewelry thaumatropes are available.

Moulin Roty Little Marvels Thaumatrope via Cottontails. Paper and string. Ships worldwide. £12 GPB

Thaumatrope Box Set Trompe L’Oeil Optical Toy via ebay. Paper and string. Shipping locations not shown. $13 USD

Thaumatrope, wonder rotating via Badabum Unusual Editions. Handprinted recycled cardboard and string. Ships worldwide. €25 EUR

Thaumatrope illusion NECKLACE - The Bird and the Cage via The Mymble’s Daughter. Clear plastic and plated silver. Ships worldwide. $34 USD

Image Credit: Lions painting, Chauvet Cave (museum replica) by HTO (Own work (own photo)) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons