kaleidoscope - A cylindrical optical instrument that is rotated so that when a person looks into it, the viewer sees a succession of radial designs produced by a carefully arranged set of mirrors reflecting constantly changing patterns made by small translucent objects (often bits of colored glass such as millefiori) in a chamber at one end of the cylinder. The first kaleidoscope was invented by David Brewster (Scottish, 1781-1868) in 1816. One type of kaleidoscope, known particularly as a teleidoscope, displays mirrored images of whatever portion of a person's environment can be seen through the opening in the other end of the scope. "Kaleidoscope" can also refer to a constantly changing set of colors, or a series of changing phases or events. The word comes from Greek words meaning "a view of beautiful form."

Examples:

Charles G. Bush (1825-1900, American, born Germany) designer, C.G. Bush & Co. manufacturer, Providence, Rhode Island, Table Parlor Kaleidoscope, c. 1870s, black cloth over cardboard, brass mounted, mahogany stand, height 14 inches. The cardboard tubular barrel is covered with black pebbled stamped paper, with cylindrical eye piece at one end, and with brass-mounted chamber box on the other end turned by hand with 6-brass spokes. The chamber box contains multi-colored glass twists and rods, cuts of German sheet glass in various forms, and his liquid-filled ampules, patented in 1873 -- all of which are exposed to light through the 3-inch lens, revealing various changing geometric patterns. The scope is canted at a downward angle on a turned mahogany stand with central baluster standard and flared dish base.

English or American?, Kaleidoscope's View, 19th century.

A view in one 20th century kaleidoscope.

Marc and Susan Lundgren-Tickle (Americans, contemporary), Eye of the Soul, 2000, in an edition limited to 30, glass exterior hand-painted in reverse. This scope has two eye openings through which to view what at first appears to be one image. One opening displays a view from the top down; the other from the side. It employs a liquid object chamber, and displays a 10-point mandala on top of a "dichroic sphere."

An image from Eye of the Soul. See sphere.

Cindy Vellinga (Canadian, contemporary), Kaleidoscope and Stand, c. 2001, stained glass, millefiori, mirrors, solder, and a brass stand.

Barbara (American, contemporary), Butterfly Brass Tube, c. 2002, wheels hold actual butterfly and moth wings, a wooden stand, kaleidoscope: 8 x 3 inches. "All species used are 'naturally expired.'"

Janice Chesnik (American, contemporary), SuperNova, c.2003, brass, two-mirrored kaleidoscope lying on a pillow. A view in this kaleidoscope.

• The Brewster Society is an international organization for kaleidoscope enthusiasts. Its purpose is to share and promote the beauty, creativity, and joy of these mirrored tubes of magic. It serves as a network linking kaleidoscope artists, collectors, and retailers. Membership benefits include a quarterly newsletter, an annual convention, regional meetings, and a house/museum, maintained for members and open by appointment only.
  
  
• La Casita de Kaleidoscopes is Pat Asay's gallery in Albuquerque, NM, representing more than seventy producers of kaleidoscopes. La Casita has posted photos of many of their scopes, along with videos of several.
  
  
• Kaleidoscopes To You has many kaleidoscopes for sale too.

Also see lens, mandala, projection, and slide.

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