The zoetrope had very simple figures because it was a pre-film animation device developed in the 19th century. The simplicity of the figures was a result of the limitations of the technology and the practicality of creating intricate animations. The zoetrope relied on the illusion of motion created by spinning a drum with a sequence of images, and the simpler the figures, the easier it was to create the illusion of movement. Intricate or detailed figures would have been challenging to produce and may not have been discernible or effective when viewed through the slits on the zoetrope. Therefore, simple figures were used to maximize the effectiveness of the animation device within its technological and practical constraints.
