For centuries, tunnel books have been a part of experiments in bookmaking and wonder-working. Explore their history and possibilities by making one of your own, courtesy of Special & Area Studies Collections and the Conservation and Preservation Unit.
This exercise will give you the skills you need to make your own tunnel book, and introduce you to the history of optical illusions, marvels, and wonders that inspired people to create them.
1. Gather Your Materials
This exercise will show you how to make a tunnel book with smaller concentric circles. You can use any paper or decoration that you want on the body layers, as long as the circles you cut get progressively smaller. Contact us for a diagram with measurements and instructions.
2. Get Inspired!
Objects of Wonder
Learn about the development of the tunnel book and its place in the history of optical illusions and in printing and engraving in early modern Europe.
Play Video
3. Dive In!
Make A Tunnel Book
Ellen Knudson, UF's Book Arts curator, walks you through the process of making a basic tunnel book, and shows some modern examples for inspiration.
Play Video
4. Share With Us!
Share photos of your finished book with the Libraries (@uflib) on Instagram and Twitter, or on other platforms using the hashtag #TunnelBooks.
Be sure to take advantage of the other events and resources for Finals Support Week.
Take a Deeper Dive
See the materials used in this video on the Rare Books Research Guide
Beyond Finals Week
Are you interested in using this material for a group project or lesson? Contact us to let us know!