How to create a phenakistoscope (early form of animation)

The phenakistoscope is a predecessor of the flip book, but don’t worry: it’s easier to make than pronounce.

Step 1: Sketch a plan of your animation
Plan out your animation with sketches. There should be 8 to 12 steps, each representing a frame.

Step 2: Draw a circle
Anchor your compass point in the center of the stiff paper and draw a circle that just touches the edges. Leave a small mark where the compass is anchored.

Step 3: Bisect the circle
Use the ruler to draw a faint line that bisects the circle.

Step 4: Divide the circle into pieces
Use the protractor to divide the circle into equally-sized “wedges,” with each wedge representing a frame in your animation.

Step 5: Cut out the circle
Cut out the whole circle.

Step 6: Cut slots
Cut small rectangular slots about 1/8th inch wide by 1 inch long along the separating lines of each wedge. Start at the very outside of the circle and cut inward.

Step 7: Make a small hole
Poke a small hole through the center of the wheel, or slightly widen the one that is already there.

Step 8: Repeat on drawing paper
Repeat Steps 2 through 5 on the drawing paper, but make this circle 2 inches smaller in diameter.

Step 9: Draw your animation
On the drawing paper circle, create your animation step-by-step, clockwise around the circle. This is your animation wheel.

Step 10: Align and cement the animation wheel
With a small dabs of rubber cement on the back, align the animation wheel so that it is centered on the thick paper wheel. Allow 10 minutes for the rubber cement to dry.

Step 11: Poke the thumbtack
Poke the thumbtack through the animation wheel and the hole you created in the heavy paper…

Step 12: Push the thumbtack into the eraser
Push the thumbtack into the side of the pencil eraser. It should be in firmly enough to stick, but still loose enough for you to be able to spin the wheel freely.

Step 13: Face the mirror
Face the mirror, then hold your phenakistoscope up with the animat