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Kaleidoscopes - Magical Moving Mandalas
Kaleidoscope comes from the Greek kalos (Beautiful) eidos (form) skopios (view).
Long before the first Gameboy, iPod and other electronic hand-held interactive visual entertainment, there was the Kaleidoscope.
They're interactive, they're mysterious and full of surprises. And like snowflakes, no two views are ever identical. You never know exactly what you'll see when you look inside one. These wonders come in many sizes large and small. Some will even fit into your pocket.
Few can resist the temptation of these wonders. Go ahead and try! It really is hard to walk by one, we all want to see what marvels will be revealed when pick one up and peek through the eye-opening.
Kaleidoscopes fascinate people of all ages. From a child's first to Kaleidoscope with the cardboard tube with plastic lenses to hand-crafted works of art in semi-precious metals and glass or found objects. Some go high-tech with internal lighting. You can spend a few dollars on a toy to hundreds of dollars for a high-end art piece in a gallery or well over a thousand dollars on antique collectible Kaleidoscopes.
Any way you look at them, they are truly enchanting.
Be sure to check out the Virtual Kaleidoscope Generator before you go-
very cool!
What is a Kaleidoscope?
A brief description
Vintage Child's Toy Kaleidoscope Tube.
Probably circa 1930's - 40's
A Kaleidoscope usually consists of some sort of tube with an opening at one end for viewing and two transparent lenses at the other in between which is placed objects such as marbles, beads and other small items with may be either fixed to one of the lenses, or free-floating between them. Typically there is a polished aluminum (or sometimes glass) mirror running the length of the tube which reflects and multiplies the images made by the objects in the lens to form a symmetrical pattern.
Designs can be very simple or complex. Some are stationary with the objects or lenses being fixed in place, while others contain objects that tumble between lenses or have a spinning aperture.
Digital Kaleidoscope
Computer Generated Kaleidoscpe Images
Fun 'Scopes for Everyone
Classic Tin Kaleidoscope
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Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/23/2009) 
List Price: $6.99
Schylling Liquid Motion Kaleidoscope
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Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
List Price: $16.99
KALEIDOSCOPE FLUID FANTASY by Toysmith Group
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The Amazing Black Light LED Kaleidoscope
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Kaleidoscope Quiz
Choose your response carefully - you may only select one!
Kaleidoscope Views
Random views from Flickr Pictures
Click the thumbnails for a larger view.
Tiësto Tour Kaleisc...
Tiësto Tour Kaleisc...
Christmas
Seamless Molten Meta...
Seamless Molten Meta...
Seamless Molten Meta...
Tiësto Tour Kaleisc...
Tiësto Tour Kaleisc...
Tiësto Tour Kaleisc...
Tiësto Tour Kaleisc...
Invention of the Kaleidoscope
Sir David Brewster - Scientist, Inventor, b. Dec. 18, 1781
Sir David Brewster Biography Page
The Brewster Kaleidoscope Society
An international organization for serious Kaleidoscope aficionados, collectors and artisans.
A beautiful, informative site!
Kaleidoscope - Kate Havnevik
Norweigian Vocalist
Kaleidoscope Music
From Amazon.com
Melankton
Through a series of intensely rich and innovative musical compositions, Kate Havnevik's lush vocals flow seamlessly. This fresh genre, best described as `classica', combines the best elements of electronica and classical music. The live orchestra and subtle synthetic pulses are a sugary treat for the ears and the soul. As warm and laid back as this album is, it's extremely uplifting. In fact, Kate herself describes it as `euphoric'.
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The Kaleidoscope is Popularized in America
Charles Bush
The Kaleidoscope becomes a very popular toy.
Keychain Kaleidescopes
Take the fun with you everywhere you go!
These make great party favors too!
Kaleidoscope in Motion
Moving Mandala (1 of 8)
Kaleidoscope Renaissance
Cozy Baker
Kaleidoscope Reading Room
The Kaleidoscope Book: A Spectrum of Spectacular Scopes to Make
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Build Your Own!
Kaleidoscope making guides - at Amazon.com
Make one for a loved one!
The Kaleidoscope Book: A Spectrum of Spectacular Scopes to Make
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Simple Kaleidoscopes: 24 Spectacular Scopes to Make
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Build Your Own Kaleidescope (Miniature Editions)
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Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 12/23/2009)
Children's Arts & Crafts Gift Set "Make Your Own KaleidoScope"
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Kaleidoscope Organizations & Resources
Show me more!
- Kaleidoscope Collector
- Resources on all things to do with making and collecting Kaleidoscopes.
- The Brewster Kaleidoscope Society
- International organization for artist & collectors.
Named for the inventor, Sir David Brewster.
Find a fantastic Kaleidoscope at eBay!
There's nothing quite like holding one in your hands and twirling the colored lenses around.
Pure Magic!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Kaleidoscope Collector's Corner
For the Novice to the Avid Collector
J. Farnsworth WoodWorker
Unique and amazing Kaleidoscope designs. Winner of more...0 points
Kaleidoscope Collector Kaleidoscopes from Hand of the Craftsman
Known nationally for fine kaleidoscopes in all pri more...0 points
Other Kaleidoscopes
Not just a tumbling tube...
These are not actual Kaleidoscopes, but they are places and things named after the Kaleidoscope!
Here you can:
-Check out the Links for more info
-Vote for your favorites
-Submit a new list entry
Kaleidoscope!
This Kaleidoscope is a <b>user interface cus more...0 points
Kaleidoscope (TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
British TV Series 1946-1953.0 points
Hallmark Kaleidoscope for Children
Hallmark's creative wonderland for children ages 5 more...0 points
Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope is the European research network shap more...0 points
Kaleidoscope Magazine
Kaleidoscope Magazine has a creative focus that ex more...0 points
Kaleidoscope - The Band
1960's rock band from Los Angeles, CA.0 points
Kaleidoscope - Event Venue, Chicago, IL
KALEIDOSCOPE is designed to be whatever one choose more...0 points
Kaleidoscope in Film Titles
![Kaleidoscope (1966) [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51W2FCQAF6L._SL75_.jpg)
Kaleidoscope (1966) [VHS]
Romantic comedy which has Warren Beatty and Susannah York as a pair of amorous adventurers in the gambling places of London and the Riviera.
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Danielle Steel's Kaleidoscope
A private eye is hired to reunite three sisters who have been separated for a long time, all of whom have well guarded secrets of the past. Starring Jaclyn Smith, Perry King.
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American Cultural History - Cultural Kaleidoscope (2-DVD Set)
Learn how various ethnic and cultural groups have adapted to the American way of life - while clinging strongly to their own traditions! Men, as individuals or as groups, have always strived for an identity. Many factors influence a person's decision while selecting an identity. These may be historical, socioeconomic or sociological. Immigrants to America faced a peculiar situation in this context. Stunned, amazed and awe-stricken by the new culture that they were compelled to adopt, many of these ethnic groups arrived at a compromise by adopting the new culture while retaining their own.
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Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/22/2009)
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Kaleidoscope Guestbook
Thanks for taking this lens for a spin!
Before you go, please be sure to:
-rate it in the stars at the top (Thanks!)
-play with the online Kaleidoscope Generators (below)
Virtual Kaleidoscope Generators
This is so cool!
And now for a VERY SPECIAL TREAT...
I leave you to have some fun with designing your own virtual kaleidoscope.
If you can work a mouse, you can make amazing patterns in this online moving kaleidoscope!
Hours of fun!
(and it's free)
Kaleidoscope Painter
Much simpler to use, but no less fun than the &quo more...0 points
Kaleidoscope Generator - V1
VERY COOL animated kaleidoscope generator. Play wi more...0 points
Kaleidoscope Generator - V2
Version 2 of the zefrank web-toy. Allows more cont more...0 points
Kaleidoscope Applet
Applet courtesy of David E. Joyce, Professor of
Ma more...0 points
by KCStargazer
Julia Steffey
Writer, Astrologer, Artist, Cosmic Cook & Space Scamp
I began my adventures into space as a wee one- poring over photographs...
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