A zoetrope is a pre-film animation device that produces the illusion of motion, by displaying a sequence of drawings or photographs showing progressive phases of that motion. A zoetrope is a cylindrical variant of the phénakisticope, an apparatus suggested after the stroboscopic discs were introduced in 1833. The definitive version of the zoetrope, with replaceable film picture film strips, was introduced as a toy by Milton Bradley in 1866 and became very successful.
A replica of a Victorian zoetrope
Device described in John Bate's The Mysteries of Nature and Art (1635)
Four phase animation device as depicted in Hopwood's Living Pictures (1899)
Czermak's 1855 Stereophoroskop
Precursors of film are concepts and devices that have much in common with the later art and techniques of cinema.
The Kaiserpanorama, 1880, provided a group stereoscope card viewing experience
Shadow play figures, circa 1780.
Czermak's 1855 Stereophoroskop