Kaleidoscope Glossary
Terminology
1-Mirror System (also known as a "Spiral Mirror System") - A scope's cylinder shaped body or a cylinder tube inside a scope is covered with a reflective material which produces a spiraling effect of colors up toward the viewer.
2-Mirror System - 2-miiror system is configured in a triangular shape. Two sides are mirrors and the third side blackened forming one central image in the middle of the viewing field called a mandala. The angle of the mirrors determines the number of points on the mandala.
3-Mirror System - 3-mirror system is configured in a triangular shape. All three sides are mirrors. With this system, images are reflected throughout the entire field of view producing honeycomb-like patterns.
4-Mirror System - 4-mirror system is created when 4 mirrors are connected together usually in the shape of a square, rectangle or diamond. When the mirrors are at 90 degree angles (square or rectangle) you get a pattern somewhat like a plaid. When the mirrors are arranged in a diamond shape, you get an image with multiple focal points, sometimes called a double mandala.
Alabaster - A soft translucent stone used by artist Ben Ansley to make kaleidoscopes. The light needed for the kaleidoscope to function enters the object cell through the stone.
Ampule - Small, sealed glass container.
Annealing - A process that toughens glass.
Binocular Kaleidoscope - A type of kaleidoscope with two scope bodies joined together to view a single object chamber. They look like binoculars and, like with binoculars, the person using the scope uses both their eyes to view the scope.
Birefringent - Doubly refracting material used in polarized-light scopes.
Body - A part of the kaleidoscope to which the other parts are attached. It is the main part which houses the mirror system.
Boxed Set - A boxed set kaleidoscope is generally a kaleidoscope with several interchangeable object cells which all fits into a specially crafted box.
Companion Kaleidoscope - A type of kaleidoscope that allows multiple viewers to observe the same object simultaneously.
Cylinder - A type of "Object Mechanism" where the objects are contained in or on a disc, drum or barrel.
Desktop (also known as a "Parlor" or "Pedestal") Kaleidoscope - A scope that is mounted on a stand, either fixed or removable, for ease of viewing on a table and are often ornate and or decorative.
Dichroic - Glass showing different colors depending on the angle of light falling on it. Dichroic glass is created by a vacuum process that deposits multiple layers of metals onto the surface of the glass. The glass manipulates light by transmitting one color through the glass while a second color is reflected from the surface; hence the name dichroic. Dichroic glass is usually used as objects for the scope.
Dry Cell - A type of "Object Cell or Chamber" with contains no liquids. Some allow the objects to changed call a "Fillable Cell". With a dry cell, the objects only move when the scope or chamber moves allowing viewers to see an image indefinitely.
Eggs - A popular object to be used for kaleidoscope bodies. Goose and Ostrich eggs are commonly used.
Eye Hole (also known as the "Viewing Hole") - The hole that is looked through to view the scope. It is part of the "Eye Piece" of the scope.
Eye Piece - A part of the kaleidoscope that is used for viewing the scope. It contains the viewing or eye hole.
Fillable Cell - A type of "Object Cell or Chamber" with contains no liquids and allows the objects to changed. The cell or chamber can be opened easily.
First-Surface Mirror (also known as "Front-Surface Mirror") - Reflecting metal is on the front surface of the glass, rather than behind the rear surface as in a conventional mirror. These mirrors provide clearer images with less distortion than second surface mirrors. First surface mirrors are made of thinner glass with fewer imperfection than glass used for second surface mirrors. Therefore, they are significantly more expensive than second surface mirrors. The patent that includes "first surface mirror" is US patent 2447623 (it is the third paragraph of the abstract or description).
Floor Model Kaleidoscope - A type of kaleidoscope designed to stand on the floor and that allows a standing person to view it.
Flameworked Glass (also known as" Lampworked Glass") - A process using a specially designed torch or lamp to heat glass rods for sculpting, blowing, or bead making. It is usually used for scope objects.
Found Objects - Found objects are ordinary items which are used as art objects. Some kaleidoscope bodies are made from "Found Objects".
Front-Surface Mirror (also known as "First-Surface Mirror") - Reflecting metal is on the front surface of the glass, rather than behind the rear surface as in a conventional mirror. These mirrors provide clearer images with less distortion than second surface mirrors. First surface mirrors are made of thinner glass with fewer imperfection than glass used for second surface mirrors. Therefore, they are significantly more expensive than second surface mirrors.
Fused Glass - Colored pieces of glass joined together by heating in a kiln. Fused glass is usually used for decorating or making the body of the scope.
Handheld Kaleidoscope - A kaleidoscope which must be picked up to be viewed.
Kaleidoscope - A tube like instrument containing loose bits and pieces that are reflected by mirrors so that various symmetrical patterns appear as the instrument is rotated. The word kaleidoscope is derived from three Greek words meaning beautiful-form-watcher. A basic kaleidoscope consists of a body, an eye piece, an object mechanism, and a mirror system. The number and angle of the mirrors determines the number and complexity of the patterns. The pattern changes when the scope or object mechanism is rotated.
Lampworked Glass (also known as "Flameworked Glass") - A process using a specially designed torch or lamp to heat glass rods for sculpting, blowing, or bead making. It is usually used as objects for the scope.
Latticinio Glass - Embedded threads of swirling white and colored glass. Latticinio glass is usually used as objects for the scope.
Lens - A piece of glass or plastic attached behind the viewing or eye hole to prevent dust from entering the scope. The lens often provides a magnifying feature (see "Magnifying Lens").
Limited Edition Kaleidoscope - A limited edition kaleidoscope is produced in a limited quantity. Once the number has been sold no others will be produced, even if demand is still high. The opposite is a "Production Kaleidoscope".
Liquid-Filled Ampules - Glass tubes filled with liquid and sealed that are used as an object in the object chamber.
Liquid-Filled Cell - A type of "Object Cell or Chamber" with contains liquids. With a liquid-filled cell the objects continue to move on their own providing continuously changing images.
Magnifying Lens - A piece of glass or other transparent substance with two opposing curved surfaces, or one plane surface and one curved surface. Its purpose is to make the image appear sharper, and its required strength is dependent upon the length of the kaleidoscope.
Mandala - Circular geometric design symbolizing the universe, used chiefly in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation. It is a symbol of oneness with universe, since there is no beginning and no end. Mandala patterns are created by 2 mirror kaleidoscopes.
Marble - A type of "Object Mechanism" where the object is a marble. Marbles can be interchanged and are available in many different colors). Some marbles are actually liquid-filled spheres.
Marble Scope - A kaleidoscope which uses a marble as its object mechanism.
Millefiori Glass - Many-cross-section slices of multi-colored glass in floral-like designs. Millefiori glass is usually used as objects for the scope
Miniature Kaleidoscope - An extremely small kaleidoscope often made into jewelry such as necklaces, rings, pendants and earrings.
Mirror System - A set of mirrors connected together at angles to create reflections of reflections of a direct view of objects. This results in what is often referred to as a kaleidoscopic image. It is the mirror system within the kaleidoscope that produces this effect.
Multiple Mirror System Kaleidoscope - A type of kaleidoscope that contains multiple mirror systems next to each other within a single body. This allows the person viewing the scope to see the object via different mirror configurations (2 & 3 mirror systems together is the most common).
Object Cell or Chamber - A type of "Object Mechanism" where the objects are directly attached to the end of the scope's body in a container. Most object cells or chambers rotate however some are fixed to the body and the entire scope must be rotated to change the pattern. These can be dry cells, liquid-filled cells or fillable cells.
Object Mechanism - A general term for the part of the kaleidoscope that contains the objects to be viewed. Teleidoscopes don't have an "Object Mechanism". Some object mechanisms are: dry or liquid-filled cell or chamber, fillable cell or chamber, wand(s), puck, wheel(s), cylinder/disc/drum/barrel, turntable, marble or polarized light filters. Some scope use hybrids of these as their object mechanism.
Objects - Anything used for viewing in a kaleidoscope. They are usually selected because of the interesting kaleidoscopic view they create.
Parlor (also known as a "Pedestal" or "Desktop") Kaleidoscope - A scope that is mounted on a stand, either fixed or removable, for ease of viewing on a table and are often ornate and or decorative. In the early days of the kaleidoscope it was a fun diversion to use in your parlor, hence the name.
Parts of the Kaleidoscope - The four major parts are the body, eye piece, object mechanism and mirror system. Optional parts include a stand, additional objects and a light source.
Pedestal (also known as a "Parlor" or "Desktop") Kaleidoscope - A scope that is mounted on a stand, either fixed or removable, for ease of viewing on a table and are often ornate and or decorative.
Polarized Light - Light that vibrates in one plane only (in contrast to ordinary light, which vibrates in all directions).
Polarized Light Filters - A type of "Object Mechanism" where birefringent materials fill the object chambers that are capped with polarizing filters. Essentially the filters stop certain light frequencies or waves from entering the chamber. The birefringent material breaks the light into the visible frequencies of color - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
Polyangular Mirror System - It allows a mirror(s) to be adjusted, changing the angles of the mirrors and thus image. Most are 2-mirror systems however 4-mirror polyangular systems also exist. In a 2-mirror polyangular system, the number points in the mandala change as the mirror angle changes.
Production Kaleidoscope - A production kaleidoscope is produced in a unlimited quantity. As long as demand exists, more scopes will be produced. The opposite is a "limited Edition Kaleidoscope" which the artist produces only a given number regardless of collector demand.
Puck - A type of "Object Mechanism" where the objects are enclosed in a liquid-filled clear puck. Puck scopes usually come with 2 or more interchangeable pucks.
Reverse Painted Glass - Reverse painted glass is glass that has been painted on its inside surface, rather than its outside surface. This technique allows the colors to show through from the back side of the glass, giving them added depth, while the outside is enabled to be handled without wear or damage.
Side Lit Object Chamber - Side lit object chambers allow light to enter though a translucent side to the object chamber. Most scopes are back lit (also called end lit). When viewing a kaleidoscope you need to understand this to know what direction to the light to hold the scope so that the maximum amount of light to enters it.
Slumped Glass - Flat glass placed over a mold and heated until it takes a bent shape. Slumped glass is usually used to make the body of the scope.
Solder - An alloy for joining two metal surfaces by melting the alloy so that it forms a thin layer between the surfaces. Soft solders are alloys of lead and tin. Brazing solders are alloys of copper and zinc. Soldering is also used to join lead came and copper foil in stained glass work. This is commonly used for making kaleidoscopes
Spiral Mirror System (also known as a "1-Mirror System") - A scope's cylinder shaped body or a cylinder tube inside a scope is covered with a reflective material which produces a spiraling effect of colors up toward the viewer. This type of mirror system can also be called a 1-mirror system since only a single reflective material (mirror) is used.
Stained Glass -Glass colored by mixing pigments inherently in the glass, by fusing colored metallic oxides onto the glass, or by painting and baking transparent colors on the glass surface. Stained glass is a popular object to be used for kaleidoscope bodies.
Stand - An optional part of the kaleidoscope that allows the scope to remain stable while at rest and also enhances the display of the kaleidoscope.
Symmetry - The symmetry of a kaleidoscope image is a measure of how accurately the original interior image is reflected around the kaleidoscope interior. In a well-made mirror system, there is a seamless continuity of the image sections, with the images matching up perfectly along the edge of each pie-shaped piece.
Tapered Mirror System - A mirror system where one end of the mirrors is larger than the other end, resembling a pyramid. When viewed though the larger end, the image appears three dimensional.
Teleidoscope - From the Greek meaning distant-form-watcher. Similar to a kaleidoscope in that it has mirrors contained in a barrel for viewing objects, but there is no object chamber. Usually the end of the teleidoscope will appear to be a lens or clear marble. There is no limit to the variety of images available for viewing, whatever it is pointed towards is reflected again and again in kaleidoscopic patterns.
Turntable - A type of "Object Mechanism" that uses a plate that objects can be put on. Turntables (sometimes called a carousel) are usually part of the stand and the scope looks down at an angle at them. They allow for easy changing of objects.
Turned Kaleidoscope - A "turned" kaleidoscope or object cell is one turned on a wood or machinist's lathe.
Viewing Hole (also known as the "Eye Hole") - The hole that is looked through to view the scope. It is part of the "Eye Piece" of the scope.
Wand - A type of "Object Mechanism" where the objects are enclosed in a liquid-filled clear wand. Wands can be interchanged. Wands are available in many different colors (liquids colors).
Wand Scope - A kaleidoscope which uses a wand as its object mechanism.
Wheel - A type of "Object Mechanism" where the objects are contained on a wheel. The wheels hang off the end of the scope to allow their viewing. Usually 2 or 3 wheels are used which rotate independently of each other. On some scopes the wheels can be changed.
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