Maxine Steiner, age 12, of Albuquerque, N.M., for her question:

WHO INVENTED THE KALEIDOSCOPE?

A kaleidoscope is a small tube in which you can see beautiful colors and designs. It was invented and patented in England in 1817 by Sir David Brewster.

Most kaleidoscopes are from two to three inches in diameter and about 10 inches long. Both ends are closed but one end has a small peephole through which you can look.

Inside, two glass plates serve as mirrors. They go down the entire length of the tube and slant toward each other. At the far end of the kaleidoscope are two more plates, one made of clear glass and the other of ground glass. The clear glass is closer to the eyehole.

Pieces of colored beads and glass are placed between the two plates. The beads and glass are reflected in the mirrors. The ground glass throws the reflections in many directions and patterns are formed.

When the viewer turns the kaleidoscope, the colored beads and glass shift position and the reflected patterns change.