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The "display device" Patented in 1906
by Alexander S. Spiegel was an optical
illusion created by a transparent film
with vertical lines placed over an
image, then when slightly moved creates
the illusion of movement. Shortly after
the invention was patented, it was used for
the production of a series of postcards
entitled "Magic moving pictures."
The postcards worked by slowing
pulling or pushing the moving, layered
plastic slide from the side of the
postcard. In the coming years,
Alexander Spiegel and many others offer
a variety of different changes,
improvements, and variations of devices
based on the same principles. Also
known as a Flicker Flasher Postcard the
baseball theme salesman's sample
pictured above uses a "Bend To And Fro"
method to slowly change the perspective
of the image.
This Magic Motion postcard "Mfrd. under A. S. Spiegel's Patents, Series B"
was used as a salesman's sample to sell
advertising "for the Sioto
Sign Co., Kenton,
O" The front features a window to
display the moving picture and
is surrounded by "Space for
Advertisement" To the right, is the
"to and fro" tab that puts the image in motion. The back
is a standard "Post Card" with a "Place
Stamp Here" box, address lines on the
right, and to the left "This Space May
Be Used For Correspondence"
Located in North-Central Ohio the
Scioto Sign Company, was founded in
1897. The company started out
manufacturing advertising specialties
such as paper and cardboard signs,
muslin banners, aprons and novelties
such as this postcard. The company is
still doing business today.
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