Scottish fact of the week: the kaleidoscope

SCOTSMAN Sir David Brewster from was the inventor of the kaleidoscope.

The kaleidoscope was invented in 1816. Picture: AP

A quite brilliant man, Brewster went to Edinburgh university at the age of 12 to become a member of the clergy. Though he was a licensed minister for the church of Scotland, Brewster instead followed a career as an astronomer, mathematician and a philosopher.

He also made quite an impact on the field of optics. He would later go on to invent an improved version of the stereoscope, which was applied to photography, but in 1816 Brewster was studying the properties of light when he noticed the dazzling array of colours that was created when looking at an object at the end of two mirrors.

He patented it a year later but is thought to have made little financial gain from the discovery, which he originally intended to be used purely for scientific purposes. Other companies were able to use his invention and mass product the device which would become a popular first in parlours during the late 1800s and then a beloved toy for children midway through the 20th century.

The name derives from ancient Greece and is three separate words pushed together: kalos (beautiful), eidos (form), and scopos (watcher).

Brewster lived to the grand old age of 86, achieving enough throughout his life to earn him the distinction of being a celebrated historical figure even outwith the UK.

He died in 1868.