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Lighthouse Thaumatrope

Hexagonal paper cut out with a colored light house printed on it. Item is surrounded by craft items like pencils and paper. — NPS Photo

For more than 300 years, lighthouses have dotted the United States coastline. Lighthouses aid mariners traversing dangerous waters, not by beckoning them in, but by guiding them through and away from hazards, helping them reach their destination safely. In 1789, the United States Lighthouse Establishment (later known as the United States Lighthouse Service) was founded, leading to the construction of approximately 800 lighthouses over the next 150 years.

All lighthouses are painted a certain color or pattern, and, in a given area, these patterns are all different. This is called a DAYMARK. Daymarks tell sailors where they are and what dangers are nearby.

Lighthouses also have unique LIGHT PATTERNS at night. Similar to a daymark, these light patterns warn sailors of dangers at night.

For example, the lighthouses at Cape Hatteras National Seashore have the following daymarks and light patterns:

1. Bodie Island Lighthouse:

DAYMARK: White and Black horizontal stripes.
LIGHT PATTERN: Flashing white light. 2.5 seconds on, 2.5 seconds off, 2.5 seconds on, 22.5 seconds off.

2. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse:

DAYMARK: White and black diagonal stripes.
LIGHT PATTERN: Flashing white light every 7.5 seconds.

3. Ocracoke Lighthouse:

DAYMARK: Solid white.
LIGHT PATTERN: Stationary white light.

Which light is which?!? Use the information above about Cape Hatteras National Seashore Lighthouse daymarks to find out!

Let's Make a Thaumatrope!

A popular children's toy in the 1800s, a thaumatrope is an optical illusion. It can make it appear that two things are in the same place at the same time.

Print out the pages provided at the bottom of the page and follow the steps below to design your own daymark, create your own flash pattern, and bring them to life as a thaumatrope!