How to Create a Zoetrope

A zoetrope is a device for giving an illusion of motion, consisting of a slitted drum that, when whirled, shows a succession of images placed opposite the slits within the drum as one moving image.

The drum

Step 1 :Cut a circle which will be the base of your zoetrope

Step 2 :Roll a white paper into a tube, around your base to have the same length of paper as the perimeter of the base.

Step 3 :Divide the length of the paper by 12, the number of animations. And mark a light line at the bottom edge of the paper to divide each cell.

Step 4 :Draw your animation, start with the left cell and moving right along each cell.

Step 5 :Take a black paper with the same length asthe white paper. Run down the middle of the black paper drawing a line down the length of it using the edge of the white paper.

Step 6 :Continue the marks you made on the white paper onto the black paper. On the opposite edge of the black paper extend the lines again from the white paper to the black paper.

Step 7 :Connect the marks, make a line. You can now cut your windows using the lines.

Step 8 :Cut an X in the base's center. x

Step 9 :Stick the white paper on the black paper.

Step 10 :Stick the papers on the base with glue or adhesive tape.

Step 11 :Put a pencil or a stick into the cross of the base.

Step 12 :Watch your animation ! Your zoetrope is finished !