Persistence of vision
Persistence of vision is the commonly used term to describe the optical illusion where a number of images blend into one in the human mind. It is believed to be the explanation for motion in cinemas. It is the way the brain functions when two images are placed next to each other and moved at a fast pace. This then causes the brain to see the two images linking together to show one moving image. (Wikipedia, 2016)
The Zoetrope is the third major optical toy. It uses the persistence of vision to create an illusion of motion. It consists of a simple drum with an open top, supported on a central axis. It displays a number of drawings or photographs to show different phases in motion.The name zoetrope was composed from the Greek root words ζωή zoe, "life" and τρόπος tropos, "turning". It was created by the inventor Ding Huan around 100 BC. The basic drum-like form of the zoetrope was created in 1833 or 1834 by British Mathematician William George Horner. (Courses.ncssm.edu, 2016) (Wikipedia, 2016)
The Phenakitoscope was also a an early animation device that used the persistence of vision to create an illusion of motion.The phenakitoscope used a spinning disc attached vertically to a handle. Around the discs centre was a series of drawings showing phases of animation, and cut through it was a series of equally spaced radial slits. The use spins the disc and look through the moving slits at the discs reflection in the mirror. The scanning of the slits across the reflected images kept them from simply blurring together. The user could then see each image separately but linked together as a moving image. It was established fully in 1829 by Joseph Plateau. (Wikipedia, 2016)
Georges Melies
Georges was a french illusionist and filmmaker famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema. He was one of the first filmmakers to use multiple exposure, time-lapse photography, dissolves and hand painted colour in his work. Melies is sometimes referred to and the first cinemagician. He was born on the 8th december 1861 in Paris, France. (Wikipedia, 2016) 
Winsor Mccay
Winsor started a professional career in making posters and performing for dime museums. He began illustrating newspapers and magazines in 1898. He joined New york herald in 1903 where he created popular comic strips such as little sammy sneeze. Mccay was an early animation pioneer between 1911 and 1921. He self financed and animated ten films, some of which survive only as fragments. He was born on the 26th september 1869 in Canada, Spring lake, Michigan. (Wikipedia, 2016)
Lotte Reiniger
Lotte was a german film director and the foremost pioneer of silhouette animation, anticipating Walt Disney by over 10 years. This is when the film is made from cut out pieces of paper. She made over 40 films in her career, all using her invention. Her most famous being the adventures of prince Achmed. She was born in Berlin on the 2nd June 1899. (Wikipedia, 2016)
Walt Disney
Walter was an american entrepreneur, cartoonist, animator, voice actor and film producer. He is regarded as the cultural icon known for his influence and contributions to entertainment during the 20th century. As a Hollywood business mogul, he and his brother co founded the Walt Disney studios. He was most known for his filmmaking and being a showman. He and his staff created numerous famous fictional characters including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. Disney himself was the original voice of Mickey. During his lifetime he won 22 academy awards and received four academy awards from a total of 59 nominations, including a record of four in one year, giving him more Oscar awards and nominations than anyone in history. He won 7 Emmy awards. He was born on the 5th of December 1901 in Chicago Illinois. (Wikipedia, 2016)
Bibliography
Courses.ncssm.edu, (2016). Zoetrope, Top View. [online] Available at: http://courses.ncssm.edu/gallery/collections/toys/html/exhibit10.htm [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
Musser, C. (1979). The Early Cinema of Edwin Porter. Cinema Journal, 19(1), p.1.
Wikipedia, (2016). Georges Méliès. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_M%C3%A9li%C3%A8s [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
Wikipedia, (2016). Kinetoscope. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetoscope [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
Wikipedia, (2016). Persistence of vision. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_of_vision [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
Wikipedia, (2016). Phenakistoscope. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenakistoscope [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
Wikipedia, (2016). Walt Disney. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
Wikipedia, (2016). Winsor McCay. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winsor_McCay [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
Wikipedia, (2016). Zoetrope. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoetrope [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
Wikipedia, (2016). Lotte Reiniger. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotte_Reiniger [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
