CarpCraft – Thaumatrope
Celebrate Carpmas AND at the same time — demonstrate the theory of Persistence of Vision OR, more accurately, Phi Phenomenon or Beta Eye-Movement OR in Layman’s Terms (and I love the Layman) an optical illusion that prequels early animation toys of the nineteenth century.
Huh?
Observe:
Collect: glue stick, hole punch, two rubber bands, card-stock cut into a 100 mm x 80 mm rectangle, a paper picture-drawing of a carp (on 90 mm x 70 mm paper) and a paper picture-drawing of a platter (on 90 mm x 70 mm paper)
You can color-up you picture-drawings to make them pretty if you wish...
Glue-stick the paper to the card stock — try to centre the drawing as much as possible. IMPORTANT - the image/picture on the rear-side must be pasted upside down in relation to the frontside.
Punch holes through either side and loop in some rubber bands....
Pinch the rubber bands between your fore-fingers and thumbs and twirl. If you twirl at the right speed you should see the illusion of the fish and the platter as one image:
Some other Carpmas themed thaumatropes to try:
Fish… in a lake or pond
Fish… in a bath tub
Fish… in an oven
Potato… in a pot
Or conversely, if you would like to try a more traditional thaumatrope design:
Bird… in a cage
Fish… in a tank
Rider… on a horse
Hat… on a head
Etc… Etc… Etc…