School Student Charlie Quin has been working with us in the museum this week. Charlie writes about discovering the different kinds of 3-D viewing through stereoscopes and the iconic View-Master.
Stereoscopes over the years have varied in shapes and sizes. When the stereoscope was first invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1838 the device was handheld and had a small rectangular box containing mirrors where one could look through at a singular card and see an image. Wheatstone used slides that were slightly different versions of the same image, which when viewed through the two lenses creating an optical illusion of three-dimensional depth for the viewer. Later, Sir David Brewster inventor of the Kaleidoscope, made improvements to the stereoscope as he discovered that using refracted lenses improved the stereoscopes performance by making them lighter and easier to hold. Brewster’s lenticular stereoscope, which was first debuted in 1851 at the Great Exhibition sparked a growing interest in stereoscopic pictures, as his model received praise from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Stereoscopes then went on to become available to everyone regardless of class as many cheap, portable models such as The Holmes Stereoscope were made, as well as larger more expensive column stereoscopes. The stereoscopes of the Victorian period often showed landscapes and portraits as a form of entertainment or education.
A Brewster Steroscope (EXEBD 69041)
A Holmes Stereoscope (EXEBD 69029)
Stereocard of a Waterfall in Wales (EXEBD 62156)
Coloured Stereocard showing a portrait of a woman (EXEBD 40021)
Over the 19th and 20th centuries stereoscopes have evolved from entertainment in Victorian drawing rooms to widely loved children's toys across Europe and America. In the mid 20th century stereoscopes started to become increasingly popular after the commercial release of the View-master, invented by William Gruber and Harold Graves. Although today the View-Master is considered a children’s toy, upon its release in 1939 the stereoscope was advertised to all age ranges through a variety of different View-Master reels which often included colourful landscapes and pictures on various themes. The View-Master most recognised today is the red ‘Model J’ viewer, which was produced between 1975 and 1994, becoming a staple in the 70’s-90’s for young children. We also have in the collection a View-master ‘Model E’ released in the 1950’s (see our featured image at the top of the blog). As the View-Master was now more advertised towards the younger generation the slides which had previously been of landscapes or coloured portraits now featured favoured cartoons and tv shows including Doctor Who and many Disney cartoons.
View-Master Model J (EXEBD 69045)
After my time spent in the museum this week it has been fascinating to learn about the history of cinema and the relevance of the stereoscope to the beginning of film. Especially through the View-master stereoscope as I vividly remember having one at a young age and after researching stereoscopes, I can now appreciate the history of a toy I had and its impacts on the history of cinema.
Sources:
https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/stereoscopy/0/steps/16687
The World of Stereographs by William C. Darrah
Bill Douglas Centre Museum guide
Brewster on the Stereoscope by Sir David Brewster