Final answer:
The discovery of persistence of vision during the Renaissance sparked a craze for optical devices that utilized this phenomenon, leading to advancements in photography and motion pictures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The discovery of persistence of vision, which refers to the phenomenon where an image continues to be perceived by the human eye for a brief period even after it is no longer present, kicked off a craze for optical devices that make use of this phenomenon. This significant development occurred during the Renaissance, a period of great cultural and intellectual change in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century. During the Renaissance, there was a strong focus on science and technology, with pioneers recognizing the rationality and knowability of nature and using experiments and observations to uncover its secrets. This newfound understanding of optics led to various inventions and innovations related to optical devices and ultimately laid the foundation for modern photography and motion pictures.