magic lantern

A magic lantern is an early type of projector from the 17th to 19th centuries that uses a light source, like an oil lamp or angel lamp, to project images painted or engraved on glass slides onto a wall or screen. It works with a lens to enlarge the image, creating visual displays for entertainment, education, or storytelling. Essentially, it’s a precursor to modern projectors, combining optics and light to share images with an audience before the advent of digital technology.