Who came up with the Persistence of Vision Theory?

The Persistence of Vision Theory is attributed to Peter Mark Roget, a British physician and lexicographer best known for his work in optics and visual perception. In the early 19th century, Roget formulated this theory to explain how the human brain perceives a series of rapidly presented images as continuous motion. Essentially, it describes how our eyes retain an image for a fraction of a second after it disappears, allowing for a smooth visual experience when viewing motion pictures or animated sequences.

Roget's influential work laid the groundwork for the development of cinema and animation, highlighting the importance of visual perception in creating the illusion of movement. His contributions were crucial during a time when new technologies in visual media were emerging, thus making him a key figure in the study of visual phenomena. This understanding is fundamental in digital communication and design, particularly in areas such as animation, video production, and user interface design, where visual storytelling plays a vital role.