PHANTASMAGORIA, a name invented by a certain Philipstal in 1802 (from Gr. φάντασμα, phantasm, apparition; and ἀγορά, assembly) for a show or exhibition of optical illusions produced by means of the projecting lantern (q.v.) The word has since been applied to any rapidly or strikingly changing scene, and especially to a disordered or fantastic scene or picture of the imagination.