Description
The kaleidoscope takes its name from the Greek kalos – beautiful, eidos – form, skopeo – to see. It was invented by Sir David Brewster in 1816 as an off-shoot of his research into the polarisation of light.

Brewster became interested in the multiplied images which occurred when reflecting plates of glass were inclined at a small angle to each other. Beautiful symmetrical forms would result if the angle of the mirrors formed a segment of a circle such that the total number of segments in the circle would be even. (see drawing).

Brewster designed an instrument consisting of two angled mirrors in a tube, with a rotating slide filled with bits of coloured glass next to the mirrors and an eyepiece at the other end of the tube.

The telescopic kaleidoscope contains instead of the slide a convex lens so that the images of distant things can be focussed at the end of the mirrors. Thus any object can make a multiplied pattern: Brewster suggested viewing a blazing fire to create ‘the most magical fireworks’.

The kaleidoscope had little practical use but it became a popular novelty plaything. Kaleidoscope images, projected using a magic lantern, delighted nineteenth century audiences.

Today, the kaleidoscope retains its popularity as a children’s toy, and also as an artistic tool in the form of computer-generated art, which is often based on kaleidoscopic patterns.

01/02/2001
Created by: Jenny Downes on 01/02/2001