Edmé-Gilles Guyot

Edmé-Gilles Guyot (1706–1786) was a French mail clerk,[1] physician, postmaster, cartographer, inventor and author on the subject of mathematics, physics and magic. He experimented with optical illusions and with the theory behind performance magic. His developments into the apparent appearance of ghosts, using the projection of a figure into smoke, helped to create the technology and techniques used in phantasmagoria.

Mathematics, science, and magic

Manufacturer of conjuring apparatus and scientific instruments, Guyot was accused[2] of exploiting and revealing the tricks used at the time by magicians and science populizers like Nicolas-Philippe Ledru and François Pelletier. He created "magic theatres" for the aristocracy – small boxes that use lanterns and slides to create an animated story.[3] Guyot's work was influential in the development of magic lanterns and their use in phantasmagoria.[4][5] In 1770 he detailed a method of simultaneously using two different slides in this early projection device. His example was a sea that would become increasingly stormy, throwing around the ships that were sailing on it. He advised that the slides would need to be very carefully painted in order to create a realistic and beautiful animation. His writings on the subject were translated into English and German and were widely circulated around Europe.[6] His experiments led to the technique of projecting images onto smoke to create the appearance of ghostly apparitions.[7] In 1779 Guyot described the use of transformation slides in magic lanterns to create simple animations.[8]

Nouvelles recreations physiques et mathematiques

Guyot's four part book Nouvelles recreations physiques et mathematiques featured descriptions of experiments and examples of how various innovative mathematical and magical tricks could be performed. The book was first published in 1769 and included an explanation of Hooper's paradox,[9] It also includes detailed, illustrated techniques for the performance of the cups and balls trick that is regarded as being greatly influential.[10]

The book was adapted into English by William Hooper, under the title Rational Recreations being released in 1774 without credit to Guyot.[3]

Medicine

Guyot is credited with describing in 1724 the catheterization of the Eustachian tube, one of the first means of middle ear inflation.[11]

Publications
  • Edmé-Gilles Guyot (1799). Nouvelles récréations physiques et mathématiques (in French). Paris. Retrieved 28 August 2012.

References
  1. "Commis à la grande poste de Paris" according to Correspondance littéraire, philosophique et critique, January 1770, p. 444.
  2. Charles Rabiqueau, Lettre et regrets de souscription d'une jeune provinciale à une de ses amies à Paris , sur l'ouvrage intitulé : Récréations physiques et mathématiques du sieur Guyot, 1769.
  3. During, Simon (1 March 2004). Modern Enchantments: The Cultural Power of Secular Magic. Harvard University Press. p. 87. ISBN 978-0674013711.
  4. Ruffles, Tom (October 2004). Ghost Images: Cinema Of The Afterlife. Mcfarland & Co. p. 18.
  5. Gelder, Ken (22 Jun 2000). The Horror Reader. Routledge. p. 33. ISBN 978-0415213554.
  6. Rossell, Deac (August 2005). "The Magic Lantern and Moving Images before 1800". Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  7. Yeo Kah Sin Dennis (2010). "Ghost - Studies in the Postmodern Gothic Film" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  8. Esteban, Francisco Javier Frutos; San Segundo, Carmen López. "Around the Magic Lantern World in Eighty Setting" (PDF). Fonseca, Journal of Communication. p. 10.
  9. Bogomolny, Alexander. "Hooper's Paradox". Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  10. McWeeney, Sean (2007). "Guyot on Cups and Balls" (PDF). Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  11. Davison, Richard (November 1962). "Ventilation of the normal and blocked middle ear" (PDF). p. 13. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
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