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The NYPL Brings You History In 3-D, And Animated GIFS!
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 26, 2012
Modified Jan 26, 2012
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 26, 2012
Modified Jan 26, 2012
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The New York Public Library has just launched Stereogranimator, a site that lets you turn their historic collection of stereographs into animated and 3-D images. In other words: old timey animated gifs! That option sort of gives us seizure-type feelings, but if you're stronger than us, definitely check it out and give it a spin right here. We happen to have 3-D glasses at our desk, and we highly recommend picking some up and checking out the streets of 19th century New York in 3-D. If you need 3-D glasses, we hear you can pick some up at Portatronics (at West 46th Street and 5th Avenue), or a comic book store—where else can you buy them?
Stereographs were a popular 19th Century photo format, and in this latest project, NYPL Labs gives those old historic photos we love so much a new twist, and some added life. If you create any sweet NY-centric gifs or 3-D images, send along the embed code and we'll add them here.
Looking northwest from corner Ellis and Powell Streets. 1906
Looking across Brooklyn Bridge toward New York, N.Y., U.S.A. c1903 [1867?-1910?

Panoramic view from Washington Street. 1872

Elevated railroad, 110th st., New York. 1870?-1905?

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nypl
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Stereogranimator
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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