Zoetrope [iPhone]

Finally after 4 weeks in review, Memo Akten‘s latest iPhone app ‘Zoetrope’ is now available in the AppStore. Inspired and named after one of the earliest devices that created the illusion of animation via cycling through a series of still images, Memo’s latest creation allows you to experience this historic device on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Zoetrope consists of a cylinder with slits cut vertically in the sides. Beneath the slits on the inner surface of the cylinder is a band which has either individual frames from a video/film or images from a set of sequenced drawings or photographs. As the cylinder spins the user looks through the slits at the pictures on the opposite side of the cylinder’s interior. The scanning of the slits keeps the pictures from simply blurring together so that the user sees a rapid succession of images producing the illusion of motion, the equivalent of a motion picture. wikipedia

Particularly special is the physical and analogue nature of the original device now turned digital on the iPhone. Where you may not expect the same effect to take place (I was suspicious) it is actually very impressive. Zoetrope.app also reacts to the accelerometer data, ie the way you tilt your iphone to show you the top side of the historical device. Supplied with the app are three classic image sequences from the master of motion himself, Eadward Muybridge. You can create your own animations with your own images or browse and download other peoples animations. You spin the cylinder by swiping a finger across the screen, the faster you swipe the faster the cylinder spins creating an illusion of animation.

Whilst this may not be the most useful app on you iPhone (CAN don’t do useful often =]), it is definitely a tribute to individuals who inspired the moving image we know today. Just for that alone, you should definitely have it on your iPhone.

made with openFrameworks

See also at the bottom the 12-foot-tall zoetrope installed during this years London Fashion week to showcase Temperley London’s Spring 2010 collection. More info here.

Platform: iPhone
Version: 1.0
Cost: $0.99
Developer: Memo Akten