Topic > What are Volvelles? - 1213

“Astronomicum Caesareum” – Volvelles (FACT) Created in the medieval period, volvelles were made up of paper discs, anchored in the center, where one card remains stationary, while the other rotates beneath it. Volvelles originated in the 12th century, evolving in different periods and influenced depending on the era in which they were created. “The Emperor's Astronomy” Astronomicum Caesareum from the private printing house of Petrus Apianus is one of the great masterpieces of sixteenth-century printing”. (Gingerich, n.d.). This is an example from the Renaissance period. A cultural movement that covered the period approximately from the 14th to the 17th century. Although the availability of paper and the invention of movable metal type accelerated the spread of ideas starting in the late 15th century. In the initial part of his book, Apiano provides detailed instructions for the operation of volvellas. The most important chapters of the book are found in the first part. Apiano shows how to calculate eclipses, and in particular the partial lunar eclipse of 15 November 1500 in the year of birth of Charles V, the one preceding the birth of Ferdinand I on 15 October 1503, and the total lunar eclipse of 6 October 1530 , in the Year of the Coronation of Charles V. The Volvelles led to the creation of pop-up books which also fall into the category of movable books which give a 3-D environment and this is how they relate to each other. The only difference is that Volvelles were created for educational purposes, while pop-up books were created for entertainment purposes. Nowadays designers look to the past to draw inspiration for their work. The album cover design of “LED ZEPPELIN ALBUM 3” clearly shows that the artist referred to the past. The cover... the center of the card... our growing portfolio of smartphone and tablet apps that inspire and entertain families as only Disney can." said Andrew Sugerman, executive vice president of Disney Publishing Worldwide. The latest version are the interactive storytelling apps for children on the Google Play Store. All these apps allow children to not only have fun with the apps, but also to get involved by reading, playing and creating with the characters they love from the techniques used for volvelles and pop-ups but it is very similar to the interactive brochure. It is a very colorful app, definitely inspired by the 21st century. The Disney team was probably inspired by the "Lady Bird" books, which came out with the cassette which was the first type of interactive story. This shows that Designers look to the past for inspiration for their works.