SS Connection

For my project on making kaleidoscopes I will concentrate on the history of the kaleidoscope. I will find out who invented the kaleidoscope, when, how, where and why. I will investigate the effect the kaleidoscope has had on our culture and society throughout the years. I will be posting my SS Connection below.

Kaleidoscopes were invented by Scottish inventor Sir David Brewster.Brewster was born in Jedburgh,Roxburghshire,Scotland on December 11,1781.As a young man, he studied ministry at the University of Edinburgh. However, his interest in science prevented him from pursuing the profession. He began his investigation of light in 1799. Some of his most important studies involved metallic reflection, polarization, and light absorption.These studies are what led him to discover a simple mathematical relationship between the polarizing angle and the refractive index of the reflective substance. This in turn led him to notice the exquisite patterns and colors when he looked at some objects at the end of two mirrors. He set about recreating this effect. He invented it in 1816. He named his invention "kaleidoscope" after the greek words for beautiful (Kalos), shape (eidos), and "to look at" (scope). Kaleidoscope literally means beautiful form watcher. He patented his idea in 1817 but either way, many other inventors took his idea and refined it. Kaleidoscopes became extremely popular during the Victoria age as a diversion. They were used to distract and amaze and became an overused form of entertainment during that time. They are still used today and throughout the years, there have been many variations of the kaleidoscope.

David Brewster went on to have an impressive career and life. Before he invented the kaleidoscope, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1815. He was then knighted in 1831,became principal of the United College of St.Salvator and St.Leonard of the University of St.Andrews in 1838, and in 1859 became principal of the University of Edinburgh.He also improved the stereoscope by utilizing lenses to combine the two dissimilar binocular pictures and produce the three-dimensional effect in the early 1840's. Brewster was also very influential in persuading the British to adopt the Fresnel lens to use in lighthouses. He published many things but his most important works were probably his Treatise on Optics (1831) and Memoirs of the Life, Writings and Discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton (1855).Sir David Brewster died in Melrose, Scotland on February 10, 1868 at the ripe old age of 87.

Below are images from kaleidoscopes in the 1800's, 1900's, and 2000's.

1800's (Parlor kaleidoscope replica)

1900's

2000's