n.
[Mega- + alethoscope.]
An optical apparatus in which pictures are viewed through a large lens with stereoptical effects. It is often combined with the stereoscope.
Megalethoscope
| Dictionary: Meg·a·leth·o·scope |
n.
| 5min Related Video: Megalethoscope |
| Wikipedia: Megalethoscope |
The megalethoscope is an optical apparatus designed by Carlo Ponti of Venice circa 1870.
In it, photographs are viewed through a large lens, which creates the optical illusion of depth and perspective. The albumen photographs are either backlit by an internal light source—usually an oil or kerosene lantern—or lit by daylight admitted via a system of opening doors. Ponti and others produced specially prepared photographs for use in the Megalethoscope. The photographs themselves were translucent and were coloured and pierced to create dramatic visual effects, such as using backlighting to create the impression of nighttime.
The megalethoscope was and is often confused with the stereoscope which was of a different design and purpose.
External links
- George Eastman House Online Megalethoscope Viewer
- George Eastman House blog post on the Megalethoscope
 |
This optics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This photography-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Learn More
 | Carlo Ponti (photography) |
| Dead Media Project |
| University of California, Riverside California Museum of Photography |
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
 |
 | Dictionary. Webster 1913 Dictionary edited by Patrick J. Cassidy Read more |
 |
| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Megalethoscope". Read more |
ADVERTISEMENT
Mentioned in
- Carlo Ponti (photography)
- Dead Media Project
- University of California, Riverside California Museum of Photography
