ing Horses TREADMILLS and Other "Theatre Appliances" in Hippodramas by Kimberly Poppiti The presence of the equine actor influenced the development of scenic design and stage machinery by providing the opportunity for both great spectacle and also the lifelike presentation of numerous illusions onstage. The most significant of these illusions was that of forward motion over distance, which came to be effectively, realistically, and quite regularly presented on the theatrical stage through the use of specially designed and patented machinery. Other innovative designs were patented and used to complete or enhance other horserelated onstage special effects, including specially designed and adapted chariots used in the depiction of races and related crashes and harnesses and platforms that worked in tandem to create the realistic appearance of circus-style equestrian acrobatics. The inclusion of the horse in the popular theatre of the day, along with the general love of spectacle brought by the (new) middle class audiences of the nineteenth century, combined to result in the production of realistic and spectacular illusions designed by savvy theatre artists. Why the horse? Because, at the time, the horse was the paramount symbol of power known to society. As such, it was logical to incorporate horses into theatre to increase the power of spectacle. FIGURE 1 The endlessly repeating and progressive roller type panoramas TD & T F A L L 2 0 0 5 47