Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is a tube with mirrors placed along its side, which contain either loose pebbles, colored beads, or other small colored objects. The viewer looks through one end of the tube, whereas light enters from the other end, reflecting off the mirrors. As the tube is rotated, the colored beads, and pebbles create beautiful symmetrical patterns, due to the reflection of the mirrors. Invented in 1816 by Scott David Brewster, Scottish by origin, it did not elicit a positive response financially. In a typical kaleidoscope, there are two-three rectangular mirrors that are placed lengthways against the tube. The mirrors duplicate the images of the objects within the tube when it is rotated, displaying beautiful designs and patterns. The two mirror kaleidoscopes yield patterns or a pattern against a pitch black background, whereas a three mirror or closed triangle model yields a design or pattern that fills the entire field. The late 1970's saw a renaissance in Kaleidoscope artistry. In 1980 the first kaleidoscope exhibition created high interest among people as an art form. The largest telescope in the world is said to be present at Mount Tremper, New York which is said to be 19.5 meters tall.