Improved Optical Toy.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1892-Accepted, 1st Oct., 1892
Improved Optical Toy.
I, EMIL ARNOLD SCHWERDTFEGER, 3 & 4, Gubener Strasse of Berlin, in the
Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
y invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
escribed and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved optical toy in which a very curious nove!
ffect may be observed. The toy consists of a cylindrical box the inner curved
vall of which is covered with pictures, and provided with apertures serving as
ights. When looking through one of the latter, the pictures appear as if viewed
hrough a stereoscope, and the effect is actually surprising.
In order to make my meaning fully understood, I will proceed to describe the
preferred form of my invention by the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which :
Fig. 1 is an elevation of my improved optical toy,
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.
Fig. 3 a central sectional elevation of the same.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
The form of my invention represented on the drawings is a toy drum differing
but slightly from those of usual construction. A is the cylindrical body of the
drum, the inside of which is covered with pictures or engravings as will be seen at
Fig. 3.
This cylindrical body A, which is made of any suitable material, is
provided with two sights B B the number of the sights may of course be increased.
The bottoms of the drum are formed by membranes of vellum C C kept stretched
by hoops D D. To the latter there are secured a series of angles E having holes
through which are passed rods F the ends of which are threaded; the holes in the
lower angles E are of course likewise threaded, so that all parts of the toy may be
firmly pressed together and joined by turning the said rods F.
When looking through one of the sights B, a very interesting optical effect will be
observed, the pictures covering the inner face of the cylindrical body A assuming
a very natural appearance; the effect is similar to that observed when viewing
pictures through a stereoscope, and is really marvellous, considering the simple
means employed for producing it.
I wish it to be understood that my invention only consists in covering the inner
cylindrical wall of a suitable box with pictures, and in providing appropriate
apertures in said wall; but my invention does not reside in the general construction
of the toy, as this is known and applied universally.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. An optical toy comprising a cylindrical box the inner wall of which is covered
with engravings or pictures, and provided with sights, for the purpose as described.
2. An optical toy comprising a cylindrical box having translucent bottoms and
an inner wall covered with engravings or pictures, and provided with sights, for
the purpose as described.
3. An optical toy having the form of a drum, the inner wall of which is covered

page_text: with engravings or pictures, and provided with sights, substantially and for the
purpose as described.
Dated this 27th day of July 1892.
E. ARNOLD SCHWERDTFEGER,
By J. P. Bayly,
18, Fulham Place, W., Agent for the Applicant.