Woodland Designs

From our hand-turned scopes to our large parlor scopes, we offer kaleidoscope lovers around the world a wide selection with something for everyone.  Our scopes must be seen and viewed in person to truly appreciate the beauty and magic they provide. 

The History of the Kaleidoscope

Reflective symmetry has been observed since ancient times.  Legend claims that early Egyptians would place two or three slabs of highly polished limestone together at different angles and watch with fascination as mandalas were formed by human dancers.  It was not until centuries later, however, that this optical phenomenon was encased in one small tube and given a name.

The kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by Sir David Brewster of Scotland.  While he was experimenting with prisms and other optical tools, he discovered that beautiful symmetrical patterns were made when loose pieces of glass and other objects were reflected by mirrors and/or lenses in a tube-like instrument.  The symmetrical patterns could vary when the mirrors were set at different angles or when different numbers of mirrors were used.  Brewster's term for the new instrument he invented was named 'Kaleidoscope' which means 'beautiful-form-to-see' in Greek.