Reflection – continued.

A kaleidoscope I particularly like is an “open” version in which the way it works is obvious because it dispenses with the tube.

Fig 1a

Fig 1b

Fig 2
It even came with transparent packaging so that ‘what you see is what you get’.
Fig 3
Even more remarkable is the fact that the price tag shows that it cost all of 60 pence, in Harrods no less. (It was a long time ago!)

Rotating one of the colourful discs which accompanied it gives a pleasing moving kaleidoscopic image.

Fig 4

A version of the kaleidoscope which can still be found in the shops today – at a considerably higher price – is one in which the disc of coloured beads is replaced by a lens.

Looking through this at the world around you gives a perplexing kaleidoscopic image of part of your surroundings. (figs 5a & 5b) The image formed by the powerful convex lens at the end of the tube suffers multiple reflections in the angled mirrors within the tube.

Fig 5a

Fig 5b

Return to first topic: suction.Top of the page.

Start Page Useful links About me About designer Contact me

Menu

Reflection – continued.