The Kaleidoscope was invented in 1816 by Sir David Brewster and patented the following year. Although essentially an optical amusement it was widely praised at the time and regarded as a scientific instrument. The Kaleidoscope sold in large numbers, many of these early instruments were very well constructed by the leading scientific instrument makers.

The simple form of Kaleidoscope comprises two narrow mirrors set at an angle to each other, small objects are placed at one end the viewer looks down into the instrument from the other end. The objects will be reflected a number of times creating a symmetrical pattern. The angle between the mirrors should be an exact proper divisor of a circle. The number of reflections is equal to (360 / angle between the mirrors) - 1.