Stroboscopes

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

Q:
Describe tests that will demonstrate the operation of a strobeoscope.
- Jayson (age 14)
Huron High, Huron, OH
A:

Hi Jayson,

This question touches on the interesting subjects of photography, motion, and periodic sampling. The earliest mention of the word "stroboscope" (which matches my dictionary's etymology of the word: strobo(s) (Greek), meaning "whirling" and scope (Greek) "to look at") appears to have been from Simon Ritter von Stampfer of Vienna who made a device from two turning wheels, one with pictures of an animated sequence, and one with shutter slits in it.  An easy do-it-yourself project is to build an LED stroboscope.

Tom


(published on 10/22/2007)