Just this week, I introduced a student of mine to older means of viewing pictures. After class, I saw a web post that commented on how kids (since the beginning of the 20th century) are always looking for the latest technology among their Christmas presents. Considering this, I did a little digging – and was surprised at how much (and how little) the technology has changed!

Exhibit A: stereoscope slides, from the early 20th century (pre-World War I):

I first saw images made of this technology through a 90s IMAX movie called “Across the Sea of Time;” it’s amazing what high-quality clarity the pictures have, considering how much simpler the technology was 🙂

Exhibit B: Viewmaster slides, from the 1970s/80s:

I grew up using such a viewer; it was great fun to see stories play out before my eyes like a silent movie in stages.

Finally, Exhibit C: the Virtual Reality Theater headset, present day:

These are tangible proof that Solomon’s axiom is true: “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9