Scanimate is an analog computer animation (video synthesizer) system created by Lee Harrison III of Denver, Colorado.
Harrison had developed its predecessor, ANIMAC, which generated used a motion capture system, based on a body suit with potentiometers.
[2] The 8 Scanimate systems were used to produce much of the video-based animation seen on television between most of the 1970s and early 1980s in commercials, promotions, and show openings.
Unlike a normal monitor, its deflection signals are passed through a special analog computer that enables the operator to bend the image in a variety of ways.
The original "Black Swan" R&D machine has been updated with more modern power supplies and can produce material in standard or 1080P high definition video.