how to make a stereoscope
How to Make a Stereoscope
A stereoscope is a device that helps the viewer to see images with a patented 3-D effect. It was initially used by navigators and landscapers to view photographs of their interest through the device and learn about them by aggregating different angles of the site. If you, too, would like to view images the 3-D way, you have got to read this article!
- Cardboard box; a shoe box would be ideal
- Mirrors; (2 small-sized and 2 big ones)
- Pen knife
- Pictures
- Glue or adhesive
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Measuring tape or scale
- Once you have assembled all the material and the necessary equipment, you may begin with the procedure right away. With the cardboard box in place, clean the interiors of the same, thoroughly. There should be no dirt or muck lying around in the box.
- Make sure that you are ready with the pictures as well. Preferably choose pictures that look scenic; do not consider photographs that have human or animal intervention. Scenery that looks quintessential, is what one should, ideally look out for.
- Coming back to the cardboard box; after you have cleaned it, you need to slit off its top. The cardboard top can be preserved for some other ventures during the activity.
- Make a slit from the side of the box; the slit should be long enough, around 10 to 14 cm in length. The box should be cut in a manner that they resemble pillars.
- Now prepare the floor of the box. Make sure that there are no dents or gaps in the box. If there are any, stick them together with glue. If the dents are too big, you may place the remaining cardboard pieces in between. If this still does not suffice the purpose, you may place cotton sheets in between the cardboard flaps and then fix them together with glue or an adhesive; this should make the surface bump-free.
- With the rectangular side of the box, make a hole with a pen knife; you may draw up a circle with a protractor and cut the shape. You will have a viewfinder window to peep through.
- With the cardboard that you were asked to keep aside, meant to be preserved; you have to cut four squares, roughly 12 x 12 in size.
- The mirrors have to be taped on their sides, so that they do not hurt you due to its rough edging.
- Cut one square into halves, so that it forms a triangle. You will have two triangles; out of these you may choose the best one and keep it for use.
- With a pencil, draw a line in the middle of the square. Cut from the middle, however, end the cutting when you reach half way through the square. You may now fold the square into two halves.
- Now bend the cardboard square and place it by gluing it on the triangle that you have chosen out of the two.
- With the two mirrors taped and ready, you must stick them at the back of the folded cardboard.
- With a pencil and ruler, draw lines through the base of the box. The lines should be clear and non-bumpy.
- One edge of the square that you constructed (12 × 12) should be placed at the vertical line at a 45 degree angle. Place the other edge as well on the vertical line.
- Now, as you have the two big mirrors remaining, you have to attach them with glue to the back of the cardboard.
- Place the small mirrors in such a manner, that they face the big mirrors. Stick the images on the opposite side of the mirror.
- Make adjustments if necessary. You may use the viewfinder to make the changes if you will. Your stereoscope is now ready!