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F.A.Q.'s About Kaleidoscopes

Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions about scopes (and about the Scopemaster!)
To submit a question, use the addresses listed at the bottom of the page.

Our top three questions:

How do the Mirrors work?

How can I make a kaleidoscope myself?

Do you have a Catalog of all your scopes?

Please Note: For all WHOLESALE inquiries,
please visit WholesaleCrafts.com or The Crafts Report Online.
We cannot give out artist information.

WHAT IS A KALEIDOSCOPE, AND WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

In 1816, Sir David Brewster of Scotland was the first person to invent the concept and object called the 'kaleidoscope.' He stumbled upon it through experimentation with prisms and other optical tools. He created a tube-like instrument that contained loose pieces of glass and other objects that were reflected by mirrors and/or lenses set at different angles to create various symmetrical patterns when viewed through one end of the tube. Brewster's term for this new instrument, "kaleidoscope," came from the Greek words meaning, "beautiful-form-to see."

WHAT'S INSIDE A KALEIDOSCOPE?

The interior of a kaleidoscope can consist of 2,3,4, or more mirrors that run the full-length of the inside of the scope. The angles of the mirrors will determine the number of reflections viewed. (Smaller angle = More reflections of object viewed.)

Example (for a two-mirror system): A ten-degree angle, divided into 360 degrees (the number of degrees in a circle), gives you 35 reflections or an 18-point star (since 18 of the reflections will be reversed from the original. A 45-degree angle divided into 360 degrees gives you 7 reflections or a 4-point star. The image shown below has a 22.5-degree angle.

The quantity of mirrors determines the shape and style of the image seen. A two-mirror system (below, left) will make a cathedral window or mandala-like image. There are no side reflections, only a single circular pattern. (Another example: Janice Chesnik's Dichroic Glass Image.) A three-mirror set (below, center) will reflect the pattern throughout the inside of the "tunnel" of mirrors. A four-mirror system will result in either a series of rectangular images, or a symmetry pattern that has a double center point. Below right is an example of a rectangular arrangement of three mirrors and one black side. The reflections of the image continues indefinitely in a straight line. (Images below are from: Massimo Strino's King Arthur, Lawrence & Audrey Goldsmith's Flower Shower, and Steve & Peggy Kittelson's Brocade, respectively.)

The mirrors of the kaleidoscope are its heart. The best mirrors to use are first- or front-surface mirrors, (where the silvering is on the front of the glass) which give sharp, clear reflections. Conventional (or back-surface) mirrors (where the silvering is on the back of the glass) may also be used, but they create duller, more blurred reflections. Plexiglass mirrors are often used in children's scopes to lessen the chance of injury in case of breakage.

See our Mirror Page for more details about Kaleidoscope Mirror Systems,
or visit the Brewster Society's Mirror Page for more mathematical details.

HOW IS THE REST OF THE KALEIDOSCOPE MADE?

The kaleidoscope can have a fixed or detachable object case at the end of the mirror tube which gives the scope its images. Object cases (or cells) can contain or be made of: stained glass, dried flowers, agates, clear or colored oils, beads, marbles, semi-precious stones or practically any transparent, colored object! Some object cases are designed to let the owner of the scope interchange different cells on the end of a scope, or open the cell and add to it whatever his or her heart desires.

The exterior of a kaleidoscope is where the scope artist can be really creative. Although a scope's interior is very important, the exterior is what sells it. It's what catches the buyer's eye first. The exterior can be carved, turned, sculpted, welded, and can be made out of any attainable resource, such as: brass, copper, stained glass, wood, paper, fiberboard, plastic, fabric, leather, and so on.

 

HOW CAN I MAKE A KALEIDOSCOPE?

We offer a couple of good books for beginning scope-makers on our Resources Page, along with a short list of suppliers. Also, there are usually a couple of classes listed on our Special Events Page. Our Kits Page offers some simple kits for the beginning scope artist. But that's about all we can tell you about actually making scopes. We don't know where to find object cells for oil-filled scopes other than the suppliers we list on our Resources page. Sorry!

 

HOW CAN I TAKE A PICTURE THAT LOOKS LIKE A KALEIDOSCOPE IMAGE?

There are filters which attach to the lens of a 35mm camera which make a simple kaleidoscopic image out of whatever you focus the lens on. You can find them at better camera stores (such as National Camera Exchange in the Twin Cities area). For more details, see our Scope Photography page. Otherwise, we do have an artist who makes an attachment for a camera which uses mirrors to create a kaleidoscopic image. See the Mark Reynolds page for more information on this attachment.

 

WHY IS THERE SUCH A BIG INTEREST IN KALEIDOSCOPES?

Kaleidoscopes are works of art. Just like a Rembrandt or a Picasso painting, the Kaleidoscope adds taste and decor to anybody's home or office. (Artist and collector Judith Paul wrote an excellent article for the Brewster Society's Newsletter several years ago entitled "Modern Kaleidoscopes - Collecting and Investing" that the Brewster Society has allowed us to reprint.)

Like anything of value, the kaleidoscope can appreciate in value if the owner takes proper care of it.

The Kaleidoscope can be a tool or resource for relaxation and meditation. One's mind can be put into an imaginary world while looking through the scope. Some doctors and psychiatrists have been known to let their patients use a scope to calm and relax themselves. The kaleidoscope can relieve tension or stress. It can give the imagination a great and wonderful work-out.

Since the 1870's, the kaleidoscope has become a treasured object to collect. The variety of types is unlimited, so the collector can always add to his or her collection.

 

HOW MUCH IS MY KALEIDOSCOPE WORTH?

For an accurate estimate of an insurance or resale value of an old or modern kaleidoscope, you should visit an antique or art appraiser. For a broader generalization of how much scopes like yours are selling for, take a look at internet auction sites, such as Ebay or Sotheby's. While there's no guarantee you'll find any scopes by the artist that made yours, you can see what others of your scope's age, style or materials are going for.

 

WHAT IS A TELEIDOSCOPE?

A teleidoscope is exactly the same as a kaleidoscope, except that the teleidoscope's object case is a lens. The lens will show whatever you are pointing the scope at around you and the mirrors will reflect that image, which will change as you move the scope around you. Sometimes a glass or crystal ball is used as the lens. The image at right shows an outdoor scene (grass, trees, wooden garden swing poles) through a teleidoscope.

 

WHAT IS A MANDALA?

A circular design containing concentric geometric forms, symbolizing the universe, totality, or wholeness in Hinduism and Buddhism. Kaleidoscopic images are sometimes referred to as "Mandalas."

 

WHAT IS SLUMPED GLASS?

Flat glass that is placed over a mold and heated until it takes a bent shape. Peggy & Steve Kittelson use slumped glass on the bodies of their Spellbound scope.

 

WHAT IS DICHROIC GLASS?

Regular glass (usually clear, but not always) that has a very thin coating of metal on one or both sides. The metal reflects some colors of light and refracts the rest through the glass, allowing the viewer to see many more colors than the glass itself would allow. Different kinds of light will also create different colors when viewed through dichroic glass. The image at right, created by Janice Chesnik's Oval Dichroic Scope ($205.00), is an excellent example of the subtle colors that dichroic glass can provide. In this case, Janice used two wheels of dichroic glass to great effect.
 

 

WHEN DID THE KALEIDOSCOPE BECOME KNOWN IN AMERICA?

In the early 1870's, Charles G. Bush began developing kaleidoscopes. His parlor type scopes were the trend setters of that era.

 

WHEN DID COZY BAKER (The 'First Lady of Kaleidoscopes') CREATE THE BREWSTER SOCIETY?

In the Spring of 1986, Cozy created and organized the Brewster Society to provide a communication network among artists, designers, retailers, collectors, and lovers of Kaleidoscopes. See the Brewster Society.

 

WHEN WAS THE FIRST BREWSTER SOCIETY CONVENTION HELD AND WHERE DID IT TAKE PLACE?

In April of 1989, the first "B.S.C." was held in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

 

HOW LONG HAS DAVLINS CARRIED KALEIDOSCOPES?

In 1985, Davlins opened its first location in the historical St. Anthony Main riverfront building along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, MN. That same year Dave Looney, the founder of Davlins, decided to give Kaleidoscopes a try and since then they have grown substantially in demand. See the Davlins Store Listings.

 

WHEN DID DAVLINS CREATE THEIR KALEIDOCLUB^©?

In March, 1991, Tim Beyer collaborated with Dave Looney with ideas about a collector's club for Davlins and the Midwest. Since then it has grown to over 1,000 members from all over the country.

 

WHEN WAS DAVLINS FIRST NATIONAL KALEIDOSCOPE EXHIBIT HELD AND WHERE?

In August, 1992 at a mobile exhibition which traveled among Davlins' four stores. The third year, the Davlins store in Southdale Shopping Center in Edina, Minnesota became the permanent host.

 

DO YOU HAVE A CATALOG OF KALEIDOSCOPES?

There are just too many scopes being made for us to have a complete printed catalog. Our Featured Artists page lists the artists for which we have pictures available on this website. Our Artist List shows all the artists from whom we purchase scopes. If you are familiar with any of these artists, we can supply you with further information. We are always adding new artist pages and pictures to this site, so check back often for new information.

 

HOW DO I GET MY SCOPES SHOWN ON KALEIDOSCOPES OF AMERICA?

Any Kaleidoscope artist wishing to submit material for sale through Kaleidoscopes of America and Davlins' retail outlets is welcome to send us an inquiry with color photos of the scopes. See our Artist Info page for more details.

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What are your questions about scopes, scope artists or collecting scopes?
(Use the  information at the bottom of this page for correspondence.)

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