One-of-a-kind mechanical flipbook sculpture celebrating Thomas Edison’s contributions to the birth of motion pictures.

The finished piece is a handcrafted, hand-cranked flipbook machine built from wood, machined components, and etched brass details. Visitors turn the crank to animate three iconic films from Edison’s studios, transforming digital history back into a tactile experience.

Located in the home where Thomas Edison was born in 1847, the museum preserves the inventor’s legacy and explores his impact on technology, sound recording, electric light, and motion pictures.

This custom installation bridges two eras of moving images: the birth of cinema and the enduring magic of the flipbook.

The project is currently on view in the The Don Gfell Education Center, an exciting new addition to the Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum.

Featured films include:

Carmencita (1894)
One of the earliest motion pictures ever produced by Edison’s film studio. The film captures Spanish dancer Carmencita performing a brief vaudeville routine and is considered one of the earliest surviving films featuring a female performer.

Alice in Wonderland (1910)
Edison Studios' imaginative adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s beloved story. Filled with early cinematic effects and visual tricks, it showcased the growing storytelling capabilities of motion pictures.

The Great Train Robbery (1903)
Directed by Edwin S. Porter for Edison Manufacturing Company, this groundbreaking western helped establish cinematic storytelling techniques and became one of the most influential films of the silent era. Portions were produced through Edison’s pioneering film operation that began with the famous Black Maria studio.