Stroboscope
/ˈstroʊ.bəˌskoʊp/noun
An instrument that produces the illusion of motion or measures rotational speed by showing rapid, intermittent flashes or images.
Did you know?The stroboscope emerged in 1832 during the study of visual persistence, when inventors used spinning discs and alternating images to reveal motion that the naked eye could not normally separate.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
στρόβος (strobos)
“A whirl, spinning motion, or whirlwind”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκοπεῖν (skopein)
“To look at, examine, or observe”
1832
German
Stroboskop
“An instrument using intermittent images or flashes to create the appearance of motion”
1832
French
stroboscope
“A device for observing periodic motion as separate visual phases”
19th Century
English
stroboscope
“An instrument for studying rapid or repetitive motion”
Modern English
English
stroboscope
“A flashing-light or image-based device used to make motion appear slow, stationary, or discontinuous”
Explore more surprising origins