The kaleidoscope is a tube of mirrors containing loose coloured beads or pebbles, or other small coloured objects. The viewer looks in one end and light enters the other end, reflecting off the mirrors. Typically there are two rectangular lengthways mirrors. Setting of the mirrors at 45° creates eight duplicate images of the objects, six at 60°, and four at 90°. As the tube is rotated, the tumbling of the coloured objects presents the viewer with varying colours and patterns. Any arbitrary pattern of objects shows up as a beautiful symmetric pattern because of the reflections in the mirrors. A two-mirror model yields a pattern or patterns isolated against a solid black background, while a three-mirror (closed triangle) model yields a pattern that fills the entire field.

For a 2D symmetry group a kaleidoscopic point is a point of intersection of two or more lines of reflection symmetry. In the case of a discrete group the angle between consecutive lines is 180°/n for an integer n≥2. At this point there are n lines of reflection symmetry, and the point is a center of n-fold rotational symmetry. See also symmetry combinations. Modern kaleidoscopes are made of brass tubes, stained glass, wood, steel, gourds and most any other material an artist can sculpt or manipulate. The part of the kaleidoscope which holds objects to be viewed is called an object chamber or cell. Object cells may contain almost any material. Sometimes the object cell is filled with liquid so the items float and move through the object cell with slight movement from the person viewing.

History

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Invented by the Scot Sir David Brewster in 1816 while conducting experiments on light polarization, it was patented in 1817. The initial design was made from a tube in which Brewster placed pairs of mirrors at one end, and pairs of translucent disks at the other end. Between the two, he placed the beads. Initially intended as a science tool, it was quickly copied as a toy. Brewster believed he would make money from his popular invention. However, a fault in his patent allowed others to copy his invention. In America, Charles Bush popularized the kaleidoscope. Today, these early products often sell for over $1,000. Cozy Baker collected kaleidoscopes and wrote books about the artists who were making them in the 1970s through 2000. Cozy is credited with energizing a renaissance in kaleidoscope making in America. Craft galleries often carry a few, while others specialize in them and carry dozens of different types from different artists and craftspeople.

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So....new year's resolution: taking the "failed" out of failed journalist. I'm going to need some help though.
kaleidoscopes (Stacey Johnson) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:14:00 -0000
So....new year's resolution: taking the "failed" out of failed journalist. I'm going to need some help though.
Do you know how fucking frustrating it is to be surrounded by greatness and creativity, while you yourself are nothing and empty?
kaleidoscopes (Stacey Johnson) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:47:03 -0000
Do you know how fucking frustrating it is to be surrounded by greatness and creativity, while you yourself are nothing and empty?
@kaleidoscopes Ahh I'm jealous.
storybox (Jamie) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:49:13 -0000
@kaleidoscopes Ahh I'm jealous.
@storybox I've been having a lot of smoothies since I work at the mall, and going to the food court is so easy.
kaleidoscopes (Stacey Johnson) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:41:37 -0000
@storybox I've been having a lot of smoothies since I work at the mall, and going to the food court is so easy.
This new year is feeling a whole hell of a lot like the last one.
kaleidoscopes (Stacey Johnson) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:04:43 -0000
This new year is feeling a whole hell of a lot like the last one.
My tears are freezing on my face.
kaleidoscopes (Stacey Johnson) Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:54:51 -0000
My tears are freezing on my face.

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