Some Basics

persistence of vision shown with light hoopsThe perception of motion in film is based fundamentally on some form of persistence of vision.

Since ancient times, it has been known that in some cases the brain retains a visual image for a short time after it disappears.

In the early 19th century, inventors devised a series of machines to explore or take advantage of this fact.

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Cool example of persistence of vision

For some technical information about how persistance of vision works and another great example, some click here.