Phantasmagoria - Encyclopedia

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

PHANTASMAGORIA, a name invented by a certain Philipstal in 1802 (from Gr. 4 vraaµa, phantasm, apparition; and ayopb., assembly) for a show or exhibition of optical illusions produced by means of the projecting lantern. The word has since been applied to any rapidly or strikingly changing scene, and especially to a disordered or fantastic scene or picture of the imagination.