Thaumatrope

History: 

The name means ''turning marvel'' or ''wonder wheel''. Dr. John A. Paris made the toy popular and was an animated entertainment for children.

How it works: 

The Thaumatrope is made up of a small disc and is tied together by two pieces of string. You work the toy by pulling both ends of the string and that rotates the circles which creates the feeling of movement. When the Thaumatrope is spun the movement creates an illusion that flowers appear to be actually in the vase. 

Why is this toy important:

The toy was important because it was the start to the area of animation and provided children with  animated entertainment until the final development of the modern cinema. The toy later got turned into the Phenakistoscope a much more advanced version of this simply animated toy.