Eadweard Muybridge set out to explore the mechanics of animal locomotion in the late 19th century, a time of considerable interest in both photography and biomechanics. The wager that prompted this series of photographs was based on the question of whether a horse's hooves ever all leave the ground simultaneously while running. Muybridge used a sequence of 12 cameras, each equipped with a tripwire that would trigger the shutter as the horse galloped past. The horse, named Sallie Gardner, was encouraged to run quickly around a track in Palo Alto, California, and through this innovative setup, Muybridge successfully captured a series of sequential images of the horse in motion. The images were produced on a motion picture strip and then displayed in rapid succession, offering an unprecedented way to visualize the horse's gait. The resulting photographs not only proved the wager correct but also demonstrated the power of photography as a tool for scientific inquiry. Muybridge's experiment showcased the ability to freeze motion in a way that had never been accomplished before, laying the groundwork for future developments in motion pictures and animation. His work signified a pivotal moment where art, science, and technology converged.