The Toupi Fantoche or “Fake Peg-Top” is an optic object designed by Emile Reynaud in 1881. It is basically a pyramid with 4 mirrors on each side and a plate with four pictures on its top, that is able to create a short movement sequence when spinning, thanks to the reflection of the pictures on the mirrors and a phenomenon called retinal persistence.
Step by step
- A piece of thin cardboard (A4)
Adequate boards to be found on the link.
- Mirror effect methacrylate
- Cyanoacrylate glue
- 5mm thick wooden rod
- 3d printer and laser cutter
- Cardboard or paper sheet to print the plate template
1.Print the model of the tip of the Toupi on the 3D printer.
2.Cut the methacrylate mirror on the laser cutter and the template for the core of the Toupi of the cardboard.
3.Bend and stick the template shaping a pyramid by attaching it to the tip of the.
4.Stick all four mirrors on each side of the pyramid.
5.Attach and stick the wooden rod inside the pyramid.
6.Print or trace the template for the plate on cardboard and draw four frames that create a simple animation.
7.The frames must be oriented towards the inside hole of the plate.
8.Attach the plate on the tip of the Toupi, hold it from the rod and spin it.
9.Enjoying the moving image.