opeidoscope

English

Etymology

Coined by its inventor Amos Dolbear, from Ancient Greek roots.

Noun

opeidoscope (plural opeidoscopes)

1. An instrument, consisting of a tube with one end open and the other end covered with a thin flexible membrane with a mirror attached to its centre, used for exhibiting upon a screen, by means of rays reflected from the mirror, the vibratory motions caused by sounds that enter the tube.
   • 1878, George Bartlett Prescott, The Speaking Telephone, Talking Phonograph, and Other Novelties:

     Among many experiments in transmitting speech I tried that of a conical point of iron fastened to the middle of an opeidoscope membrane, the point being attached to a fine wire in such a manner as not to interfere with its freedom of movement […]

   • 1902, George Milton Hopkins, Experimental science:

     This is a modification of the opeidoscope. A thin membrane of goldbeater's skin or rubber is stretched over a wooden or metallic cell and secured by a winding of thread. To the center of the membrane is cemented a small thin mirror.

   • 2009, May Berenbaum, The Earwig's Tail: A Modern Bestiary of Multi-legged Legends:

     I can't help thinking that, had he lived to see the electronic cricket sensor, the inventor of the opeidoscope probably would have approved.