Designoscope
Category
Scientific instruments
Date
circa 1920 - 1930
Materials
Metal, glass, paper
Measurements
218 mm (length of box); 86 mm (depth of box); 120 mm (width of box); 90 mm (width of toy); 345 mm (height of toy)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 659949
Summary
A Kaleidoscope in a dark blue cardboard box with a yellow, white and red design on the top. The box has a red dot dash border with a rough drawing of the toy above the title, 'THE DESIGNOSCOPE', printed in white. Below is a yellow and red circular design. At the bottom is written, 'PATENTS APPLIED FOR THOUGHOUT THE WORLD'. On each side of the lid is printed, 'THE DESIGNOSCOPE / A LIMITLESS FOUNT OF ARTISTIC USEFULNESS / BRITISH MANUFACTURED THROUGHOUT.' inside the red border. On each end of the lid is printed in white, 'THE DESIGNOSCOPE / THE WONDER OF MODERN ART'. The base is covered with what was pale blue paper, faded. Stuck to the inside the lid is is the printed the instuctions on how to use the toy. The vertical kaleidoscope consists of a metal triangular pillar lined with glass covered in dark green paper with a a third of the back of the pillar removed. The top of the pillar is solid with an eye hole in one corner. The pillar is supported by a removable V shaped iron bracket fixed to a rectangular black metal base. Attached to the base is a circular revolving metal disc which holds a circle of paper. A printed instruction card accompanies the designoscope. Total number of items is seven
Marks and inscriptions
Sides of pillar: THE/ DESIGNOSCOPE/ PATENTS APPLIED FOR/ IN ALL COUNTRIES/ BRITISH MADE Top: THE DESIGNOSCOPE At the bottom: PATENTS APPLIED FOR THROUGHOUT THE WORLD Each side of the lid: THE DESIGNOSCOPE/A LIMITLESS FOUNT OF ARTISTIC USEFULNESS/ BRITISH MANUFACTURED THROUGHOUT. Each end of the lid: THE DESIGNOSCOPE/ THE WONDER OF MODERN ART