Simon von Stampfer was an Austrian mathematician, physicist, and inventor born on June 25, 1790, in the town of Wiener Neustadt, Austria. He is best known for his contributions to the early development of the phenakistoscope, a device that creates an illusion of motion from a series of static images. Here are some key points about his life and work:
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Education and Career: Stampfer studied at the University of Vienna, where he later became a professor of applied mathematics and mechanics. His academic career was marked by his interest in both theoretical and applied sciences.
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Invention of the Phenakistoscope: In 1832, Stampfer independently invented an optical device which he called the stroboscope (not to be confused with the modern stroboscope). This device was similar to the phenakistoscope, which was concurrently developed by Joseph Plateau in Belgium. Stampfer's version used a spinning disc with slits that, when viewed through another slotted disc, created the illusion of motion. He published his findings in a pamphlet titled "Phorolyt, oder, die magische Scheibe" in 1833.
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Impact on Visual Arts: The phenakistoscope and similar devices like the zoetrope were pivotal in the evolution of visual entertainment, leading directly to the development of cinematography. Stampfer's work contributed significantly to the understanding of persistence of vision, which is fundamental to how film works.
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Later Life and Legacy: After his contributions to the field of optics, Stampfer continued his academic work in mathematics and physics. He died on November 10, 1864, in Vienna. Although his name is not as widely recognized today as some of his contemporaries, his invention played a crucial role in the early history of motion pictures.
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