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Impossible Decision

An impossible decision on this Penrose Triangle…

The Penrose triangle, also known as the Penrose tribar, is an optical illusion that depicts a three-dimensional object that is physically impossible to construct.

The illusion is a two-dimensional drawing that is designed to create the impression of a triangular structure, but the angles of the lines are inconsistent with the laws of Euclidean geometry, making it impossible to construct in the real world.

How does the Penrose Triangle Illusion work?
Versions of the Penrose Triangle Illusion
Illusions like the Penrose Triangle Illusion
Discovery of the Penrose Triangle Illusion
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How does the Penrose Triangle Illusion work?

The Penrose triangle works by exploiting the way the brain interprets the 2-dimensional image of a triangular structure, but with impossible angles and lines that are inconsistent with the laws of Euclidean geometry.

These impossible angles and lines create a visual illusion of depth and three-dimensionality that is impossible to construct in the real world.

The illusion works by playing with the viewer’s expectations about the relationships between the lines and angles of the object and the viewer’s sense of depth.

The brain uses cues such as perspective, shading, and past experiences to create a 3-dimensional perception of the image.

However, in the case of the Penrose triangle, the brain is unable to reconcile the conflicting information, creating the illusion of an impossible object.

The Penrose triangle illusion also highlights the concept of “perceptual set” which refers to the brain’s ability to focus on specific aspects of the image and ignore others depending on the context.

The brain tends to focus on the lines and angles that suggest depth and three-dimensionality, while ignoring the impossible angles and lines that would make the object impossible to construct in the real world.

Additionally, the concept of “top-down processing” comes into play as the brain uses prior knowledge to interpret the visual information coming from the eyes, and tries to make sense of the image with the information it has.

The brain is unable to reconcile the conflicting information in the Penrose triangle, creating the illusion of an impossible object.

Versions of the Penrose Triangle Illusion

The following are some alternate versions of the Penrose Triangle Illusion:

Penrose Triangle clored — From Wikimedia Commons

Penrose Triangle rainbow GIF — From Wikimedia Commons

Illusions like the Penrose Triangle Illusion

Paradox illusions are a type of optical illusion that involve images that appear to be self-contradictory or impossible. They typically involve the manipulation of visual cues such as size, shape, movement, and depth perception to create an image that appears to be impossible or defies our understanding of the physical world.

In general, these illusions work by exploiting the way the visual system processes information. The brain relies on certain cues, such as perspective, shading, and texture, to infer the 3D structure of an object. When these cues are manipulated in a certain way, the brain can be fooled into perceiving an impossible or self-contradictory image.

Some related illusions include the following:

The Rubin vase, also known as the Rubin face or the figure-ground vase, is a famous optical illusion in which the image of a vase can also be perceived as two faces in profile looking at each other.

The duck-rabbit illusion is an optical illusion that is an image that can be perceived as either a duck or a rabbit depending on how the viewer looks at it.

The Necker cube is an optical illusion that features a simple wireframe drawing of a cube. The cube appears to switch back and forth between two different orientations.

The My Wife and My Mother-in-Law illusion is an optical illusion with an image of a young woman’s face that can also be perceived as an older woman’s face.

The Schröder Staircase is an optical illusion that features a drawing of a staircase. The staircase appears to be either ascending or descending, depending on how the brain interprets the angles of the lines.

Schroeders_stairs — From Wikimedia Commons

The impossible cube is an optical illusion that depicts a three-dimensional object that is physically impossible to construct.

The impossible trident is a three-pronged impossible shape resembling a trident. It is usually depicted as a three-pronged fork with each prong appearing to be a continuation of the next, creating an impossible shape.

The spinning dancer illusion is a visual illusion that depicts a silhouette of a dancer spinning clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of the dancer’s spin can appear to change depending on the viewer’s perception

Spinning Dancer Gif — From Wikimedia Commons

The Monroe-Einstein illusion works by playing with the viewer’s expectations about the relationships between the features of the faces and the viewer’s sense of facial proportions.

Discovery of the Penrose Triangle Illusion

It was first created by the British mathematician and physicist Roger Penrose and his father Lionel Penrose, a psychiatrist and mathematician, in the 1950s.

Sir Roger Penrose is a renowned British mathematical physicist and Nobel laureate. He was born in 1931 and is still active today. He is known for his work in the fields of cosmology, general relativity, and quantum mechanics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020, jointly with Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez, for his contributions to the understanding of the properties of black holes.

Penrose’s research has focused on the fundamental nature of space and time and the structure of the universe, he proposed new ways of understanding the Big Bang, black holes, and the nature of the universe itself. He has also been interested in the connection between physics and mathematics, particularly in the area of geometry. Penrose has written several books on these topics, which have been widely read and discussed by both scientists and the general public.

Penrose is also known for his work on the concept of “cosmic censorship” which is a theory that states that the singularities that occur in black holes are always hidden from the outside observer. He also developed new mathematical techniques, such as the Penrose diagram, which are used to describe the behavior of black holes and other singularities. Penrose is considered one of the most influential theoretical physicist of the 20th century and his work has had a significant impact on our understanding of the universe.

References and Resources

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Wagon Wheel Illusion

The wagon wheel illusion is a visual illusion in which a rotating wheel appears to be rotating in the opposite direction or at a different speed than its actual rotation.

The illusion is most commonly observed when viewing a wheel that is lit with strobe lights or a series of still images, such as a filmstrip or video.

How does the Wagon Wheel Illusion work?
Versions of the Wagon Wheel Illusion
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How does the Wagon Wheel Illusion work?

The illusion is caused by the way the human visual system processes motion. When the wheel is rotating at a relatively slow speed, the visual system perceives each frame of the strobe-lit wheel or still image as a separate, stationary image. As a result, the brain perceives the wheel as rotating in the opposite direction or at a slower speed than its actual rotation.

This illusion is also known as the reverse rotation illusion or stroboscopic illusion, and is related to the beta movement illusion, as it is also based on the persistence of vision phenomenon and the way the brain processes rapid sequences of images.

It is important to note that the wagon wheel illusion can be observed in real life, and is not just limited to strobe lights or still images. It can also be observed in situations such as a wheel on a moving vehicle viewed through a fence or a spinning wheel viewed through the slats of a fence or through a window with a grid pattern.

Versions of the Wagon Wheel Illusion

The following is another examples of the Wagon Wheel Illusion

Illusions like Wagon Wheel Illusion

The wagon wheel illusion is a type of kinetic illusion. Kinetic illusions are visual illusions that involve the perception of movement, despite the absence of any actual movement in the stimulus. The wagon wheel illusion specifically falls into the category of a “rotating illusion”, which is a type of visual illusion that occurs when a rotating object appears to rotate in the opposite direction or at a different speed than it actually is.

It’s also considered a form of the stroboscopic illusion, which refers to the illusion that occurs when a rotating object is viewed under strobe lighting or a rapid sequence of still images. It’s related to the beta movement illusion, which is based on the persistence of vision phenomenon and the way the brain processes rapid sequences of images.

The following are some illusions that are related to the Beta Movement

Troxler’s fading, also known as Troxler’s effect, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus, such as a dot or a shape, disappears from perception after a certain period of time.

Lilac-Chaser_Troxlers Fading — From Wikimedia Commons

The Phi phenomenon is the illusion of movement created by the rapid succession of static images or light sources.

The Rotating Snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.

The Moiré pattern illusion: This illusion is created by superimposing two similar patterns on top of each other, such as a grid of lines or circles. The resulting pattern appears to be moving or changing.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Hermann Grid Illusion, in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.

The Zöllner Illusion, in which parallel lines appear to be tilted or bent when intersected by diagonal lines.

The Fraser Spiral Illusion, in which a pattern of short, curved lines appears to form a spiral.

The Café Wall Illusion is a visual illusion that is created by a grid of alternating light and dark horizontal and vertical lines. The lines appear to be bent or tilted, even though they are actually straight.

These illusions are usually caused by the way our eyes process visual information and the way the brain interprets it. They can also be caused by the interaction of different visual elements, such as lines and angles, in the image. They are often used in research on visual perception and the neural basis of perception.

Discovery of the Wagon Wheel Illusion

The phenomenon of the wagon wheel illusion has been known and studied for many years, and is likely to have been observed by many people throughout history. The earliest known description of the illusion was made by the German physiologist Ewald Hering in the late 19th century, he observed that when a rotating wheel is lit with strobe lights, it can appear to rotate in the opposite direction or at a different speed than its actual rotation.

It is also likely that this illusion was observed by people who were working with strobe lights, such as photographers and filmmakers, who may have noticed the effect while experimenting with different lighting techniques.

However, there is no specific individual who is credited with the discovery of the wagon wheel illusion, as it is a well-known phenomenon that has been observed and studied by many researchers over the years. It is a well-known illusion that is still studied by scientists and researchers and they continue to explore and understand the underlying neural mechanisms and processes that give rise to this phenomenon.

References and Resources

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Beta Movement

The beta movement illusion is a visual illusion in which a series of static images, such as a filmstrip or flipbook, appears to be in motion when viewed in rapid succession.

This illusion is caused by the persistence of vision, which is the phenomenon by which the human brain continues to perceive a visual stimulus for a short period of time after it has been removed.

This allows the brain to perceive multiple static images as a single moving image, creating the illusion of motion.

How does Beta Movement work?
Versions of the Beta Movement
Illusions like Beta Movement
Discovery of the Beta Movement
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How does the Beta Movement work?

The beta movement illusion works by exploiting the persistence of vision phenomenon in the human visual system. Persistence of vision refers to the way the brain continues to perceive a visual stimulus for a short period of time after it has been removed. This allows the brain to perceive multiple static images as a single moving image, creating the illusion of motion.

In the case of the beta movement illusion, a series of static images are presented in rapid succession, such as a flipbook or filmstrip. The images are typically of an object or scene in which one or more elements have been slightly altered from one frame to the next. When viewed quickly, the brain perceives the series of images as a single moving image, creating the illusion of motion.

The speed at which the images are presented is also important, as the faster the images are presented, the stronger the illusion of motion becomes. This is why the beta movement illusion is often used in animation and film, as it allows for the creation of the illusion of motion using a series of static images.

Versions of the Beta Movement Effect

The following are some another examples of the Beta Movement

Phi Phenomenon Black Bars — From Wikimedia Commons

Phi_Phenomenon Yellow Circles — From Wikimedia Commons

Illusions like Beta Movement

The beta movement illusion is a type of kinetic illusion. Kinetic illusions are visual illusions that involve the perception of movement, despite the absence of any actual movement in the stimulus. The beta movement illusion is specifically a type of motion aftereffect, which is a phenomenon in which a stationary stimulus is perceived as moving after it is no longer present. The beta movement illusion is a specific example of motion aftereffect, which is created by the rapid presentation of a series of static images.

It’s also considered a form of phi phenomenon, that is, the perception of motion when two or more stimuli are presented in rapid succession.

The following are some illusions that are related to the Beta Movement

Troxler’s fading, also known as Troxler’s effect, is a phenomenon in which a stationary visual stimulus, such as a dot or a shape, disappears from perception after a certain period of time.

The Phi phenomenon is the illusion of movement created by the rapid succession of static images or light sources.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Hermann Grid Illusion, in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.

The Zöllner Illusion, in which parallel lines appear to be tilted or bent when intersected by diagonal lines.

The Fraser Spiral Illusion, in which a pattern of short, curved lines appears to form a spiral.

The Hering Illusion, in which two straight lines appear to be curved due to the presence of surrounding lines.

Discovery of the Beta Movement

The beta movement illusion is a well-known phenomenon that has been studied and described by many researchers over the years.

The earliest known description of the beta movement illusion was made by the German physiologist Ewald Hering in the late 19th century. He observed that the perception of motion can be created by the rapid presentation of a series of static images and called it the “apparent movement.”

However, the term “beta movement” was first coined by the American psychologist Joseph Jastrow in 1899, in his article “The Psychology of the Flip-Book.” Jastrow was one of the first researchers to systematically study the beta movement illusion and to describe the specific conditions under which it occurs.

In summary, While Ewald Hering was one of the first to describe the phenomenon of apparent movement, Joseph Jastrow was credited with coining the term “beta movement” and was one of the first researchers to systematically study the beta movement illusion.

References and Resources

Check out our complete list of illusions and this related Boxes Aren’t Moving Illusion

Autostereograms

An autostereogram is a type of image that appears to be a flat 2D image when viewed normally, but when viewed with a special technique, it appears to be a 3D image with depth and perspective.

Autostereograms are created by repeating a pattern of repeating elements, such as random dots, in such a way that the repeating elements at different depths in the image align with each other when viewed with the special technique. This creates the illusion of a 3D image.

The image below appears as a 2 dimensional flat image, but when viewed using one of the techniques mentioned below, a 3 dimensional shape appears.

How does an Autostereogram work?
Versions of Autostereograms
Illusions like the Autostereograms
Discovery of the Autostereograms
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How does an Autostereogram work?

Autostereograms specifically are an example of a stereoscopic illusion, which is a type of optical illusion that creates the perception of depth and three dimensions in an image that is actually flat.

They are also known as “single image random dot stereograms (SIRDS)”.

To better see the 3D image in an autostereogram, there are a few techniques that can be used:

Wall-eyed or cross-eyed viewing: This technique involves diverging your eyes outward so that the left eye is focused on the right side of the image and the right eye is focused on the left side of the image. This can take some practice to get used to, but it is the most common way to view autostereograms.

Parallel viewing: Instead of crossing or diverging your eyes, you can also try to focus your eyes on a distant point in the room, while keeping them parallel to the image.

Focusing on a specific point: Some autostereograms have a “sweet spot” or a small dot or line that indicates where to focus your eyes. By focusing on that point, it may be easier to see the 3D image.

Viewing distance: The optimal viewing distance varies from person to person, but generally, the farther away from the image, the easier it is to see the 3D image.

Relaxation: It’s important to be relaxed while trying to see the 3D image, as tension in your eyes and face can make it harder to see the image.

It’s important to note that not everyone can see the 3D image in an autostereogram, and that’s normal. It depends on the individual’s visual perception and the structure of the image.

Versions of Autostereograms

The following are some alternate Autostereograms:

autostereograms - two dinosaurs.gif — Can you see the two dinosaurs?

Illusions like Autostereograms

Some related illusions are below:

The rotating snakes is a peripheral drift illusion that consists of a grid of shapes, with some of them appearing to be rotating or undulating. The illusion is created by the interaction of the shapes with the neural processing of the visual system.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Hermann Grid Illusion in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.

The Zöllner Illusion, in which parallel lines appear to be tilted or bent when intersected by diagonal lines.

The barber pole illusion is an optical illusion that is characterized by the appearance of a spiral pattern on a vertically striped pole.

The Bezold Effect: This illusion is created by placing two or more colors next to each other, and the way they appear to change when they are close to one another.

Discovery of Autostereograms

The invention of the autostereogram is credited to Dr. Bela Julesz, a Hungarian-born cognitive scientist and psychologist.

He first described the concept in his 1981 paper “Stereograms and the Brain” and later published a book “Textons, the elements of texture perception” which explained the theory behind autostereograms in detail.

He called them Random-Dot Stereograms (RDS) and was awarded a Turing award in 1995 for his contributions in this field of visual perception.

He also developed a computer program that could generate autostereograms, which allowed for the creation of more complex and realistic 3D images.

The term “Autostereogram” is derived from his original term “Random-Dot Stereograms (RDS)”.

References and Resources

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Tilt Illusion

The tilt illusion is a visual perception phenomenon in which the perceived inclination of a line or shape is different from its actual inclination.

It can be caused by the interaction of different visual cues, such as the orientation of surrounding lines or the presence of texture.

In the image below, the center circles are identical, but the surrounding circles make it appear that the interior lines tilt in different directions.

How does the Tilt Illusion work?
Versions of the Tilt Illusion
Illusions like the Tilt Illusion
Discovery of the Tilt Illusion
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How does the Tilt Illusion work?

The tilt illusion is a visual illusion in which a square appears to be tilted even though it is actually perfectly aligned with the vertical and horizontal lines of the grid in which it is embedded.

This illusion is caused by the way that our brain perceives the relative angles of the lines surrounding the square.

The lines that are closer to the square appear to be more tilted than the lines that are farther away, causing our brain to perceive the square as being tilted as well.

This phenomenon is known as “contextual bias” in perception.

Versions of the Tilt Illusion

The following are some alternate versions of the Tilt Illusion:

Illusions like the Tilt Illusion

The tilt illusion is a geometric illusion.

Geometric illusions are visual illusions that involve the perception of shapes, angles, or patterns. They are often caused by the way that our brain processes visual information, such as the way that it organizes and interprets lines, shapes, and patterns.

The tilt illusion specifically is a perceptual illusion in which a perfectly aligned square is perceived as tilted due to the context of the surrounding lines. It is very similar to the café wall illusion.

The following are some illusions similar to the Tilt Illusion.

The Cafe Wall Illusion is a geometric optical illusion that is created by the alignment of parallel lines in a checkerboard pattern. The parallel lines appear to be tilted or slanted, even though they are actually straight.

This illusion is caused by the interaction of the lines with the edges of the squares in the checkerboard pattern, which creates the illusion of depth and perspective.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Zöllner illusion is a visual illusion in which parallel lines appear to be angled due to the presence of intersecting lines.

The illusion is often used to study the brain’s perception of shape and spatial relationships. It is considered one of the most powerful and striking examples of a geometrical-optical illusion. The perception of the illusion can be explained by the brain’s tendency to group lines together based on their similarity in direction and spacing, which can lead to an overestimation of the angle between the parallel lines.

The Müller-Lyer illusion: This illusion involves lines with arrowheads at the ends, which can make a line appear longer or shorter depending on the direction of the arrowheads.

The Poggendorff illusion is a visual illusion in which the brain perceives a diagonal line as being interrupted by an object, even though the line is actually continuous. The illusion is created by the misalignment of two parallel lines that are intersected by a third line at a certain angle.

Poggendorff illusion transparent gray bar

The Orbison illusion is an illusion of movement that is created when stationary, parallel lines are placed on a background of radiating lines. The parallel lines appear to be moving in the direction of the radiating lines, even though they are actually stationary. This illusion is thought to be caused by the interaction between the parallel lines and the radiating lines, which creates an illusion of movement in the brain.

The Wundt illusion is an optical illusion produces an inversed effect compared to the Hering Illusion. The vertical lines are both straight, but they may look as if they are curved inwards.

Discovery of the Tilt Illusion

The tilt illusion is very similar to the “café wall illusion,” which was first described by by the British psychologist Richard Gregory in the 1970s.

He noticed this illusion while observing the pavement of a café in Bristol, England, and subsequently conducted experiments to study it. He published his findings in his book “Eye and Brain: The Psychology of Seeing” in 1966. The illusion is also named after him as the Gregory’s Café Wall Illusion.

Gregory was a cognitive psychologist who made significant contributions to the field of visual perception, including the discovery of the Cafe Wall Illusion.

He published his findings on the illusion in the journal “Nature” in 1973. Gregory was also known for his work on the perception of illusory contours and the perception of the Necker cube, which is another famous optical illusion.

References and Resources

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How Many Black Dots?

How many black dots can you spot in this version of the scintillating grid illusion?

There are 12, but your brain will not let you see them all at once!

About the The Scintillating Grid Illusion

The scintillating grid illusion is also known as the “scintillating checkerboard illusion” and it is a variation of the Hermann grid illusion.

The scintillating grid illusion is caused by the way the visual system processes the edges of the lines forming the grid, creating the appearance of movement in the illusion.

Scintillating-Grid-New — From Wikimedia Commons

How does the Scintillating Grid Illusion work?
Versions of the Scintillating Grid Illusion
Illusions like the Scintillating Grid Illusion
Discovery of the Scintillating Grid Illusion
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How does the Scintillating Grid Illusion work?

The Scintillating Grid Illusion is an optical illusion in which a grid of light gray or white lines on a dark background appears to flicker or “scintillate.” The effect is most pronounced when the observer is looking directly at the intersection of the lines, and it is caused by the way the visual system processes the edges of the lines. The illusion is often used to demonstrate the neural processes that underlie visual perception, and it is related to other optical illusions such as the Hermann grid illusion and the Mach bands illusion.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion is believed to work by the way the brain processes the edges of the lines in the grid. The visual system is sensitive to the contrast between light and dark areas, and the edges of the lines in the grid create a high contrast between the light lines and the dark background. This high contrast causes the visual system to enhance the edges, creating the illusion of flickering or scintillating.

It’s also thought that the mechanism behind this illusion is related to the way the visual system deals with the ambiguous edges of the lines. In the intersection of the lines, the brain receives information that is not clear, and it tries to fill in the missing information by creating the illusion of movement.

Additionally, the illusion is more pronounced when the observer is looking directly at the intersection of the lines, as opposed to looking at the lines themselves. This is likely due to the fact that the visual system is more sensitive to edges that are oriented perpendicular to the line of sight.

Versions of the Scintillating Grid Illusion

The following is an alternate versions of the Scintillating Grid Illusion:

Illusions like the Scintillating Grid Illusion

Color illusions work by exploiting the way that the human visual system processes color and light. The human eye is able to detect light in the visible spectrum, which consists of different wavelengths of light that correspond to different colors. The brain then interprets this information to create our perception of color. However, the way the brain perceives color is not always a perfect representation of the physical reality.

There are several factors that can influence the way that the visual system processes color and light, which can lead to the perception of illusions. These factors include:

Contrast: The way that the brain perceives color can be influenced by the surrounding colors and patterns. High-contrast borders around an area of color can cause the brain to interpret the color as spreading or “bleeding” beyond the actual boundaries of the object.

Lighting conditions: The way that the brain perceives color can also be affected by the lighting conditions. For example, when an object is viewed in bright light, the eye’s color receptors may become fatigued, causing the brain to perceive colors differently than they actually are.

Color adaptation: The brain adapts to the colors that we see over time, which can influence the perception of color. For example, if an individual looks at a red object for an extended period of time, the brain will adapt to the red, and when that person looks at a white object, it will appear to have a pinkish hue.

Color constancy: The brain is able to adjust the perception of color based on the context in which it is viewed. This can create illusions where the same color appears to be different depending on the surrounding colors.

Shape use: Some illusions like the Hermann grid illusion or the Cafe Wall illusion, use specific patterns and shapes to manipulate the perception of color and shape.

Some related illusions include the following:

The Neon Color Spreading illusion refers to the visual phenomenon where an area of color appears to spread or “bleed” beyond its intended boundaries.

The Bezold Effect: This illusion is created by placing two or more colors next to each other, and the way they appear to change when they are close to one another.

The Mach Band Illusion: This illusion is created by the way the brain perceives edges of an object. When an object has a gradient of color, the edges of the object appear to be darker or lighter than they actually are.

Mach Bands Animation — From Wikimedia Commons

The Hermann Grid Illusion: This illusion is created by the way the brain perceives intersections of lines. When the intersections of a grid of lines are viewed, small gray dots appear at the intersections, even though they are not actually there.

The Watercolor Illusion: This illusion is created by the way the brain perceives edges of an object. When an object is surrounded by a colored halo, the object appears to have a different color than it actually does.

The Chevreul Illusion: This illusion is created by the way the brain perceives edges of an object. When the edges of an object are surrounded by a contrasting color, the edges appear to be a different color than they actually are. Chevreul’s illusion is similar to Mach bands, but they work in different ways. Chevreul’s illusion is an effect on the perception of hue, while Mach bands is an effect on the perception of brightness.

The Ishihara Illusion: This illusion is created by the way the brain perceives colors. When a color is surrounded by a contrasting color, the brain perceives the color to be different than it actually is.

Ishihara Plate 9 — From Wikimedia Commons

The flash lag illusion is a visual illusion that is based on the perception of the temporal relationship between a moving object and a flash of light. The illusion occurs when a moving object is followed by a sudden flash of light, and the perceived location of the flash appears to be behind the actual location of the object.

Discovery of the Scintillating Grid Illusion

It was first described by an American psychologist, Edward H. Adelson in 1995.

Edward Adelson is a professor of vision science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a member of the MIT Media Lab.

He is known for his research in the field of computer vision, particularly his work on the perception of lightness and the “checkerboard illusion.”

He is also a recipient of the David Marr Prize, which is given by the International Association for Computer Vision to “outstanding young investigators” in the field of computer vision.

References and Resources

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Moiré Pattern Illusion

The Moiré pattern illusion is an optical illusion that is created by the interaction of two or more superimposed patterns. A Moiré pattern is formed when two regular patterns, such as grids or dots, are overlaid on each other, creating an interference pattern.

The Moiré pattern appears as a set of wavy lines or shapes that are different from the original patterns.

How does the Moiré Pattern Illusion work?
Versions of the Moiré Pattern Illusion
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Discovery of the Moiré Pattern Illusion
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How does the Moiré Pattern Illusion work?

The Moiré pattern is created by the brain as it tries to interpret the overlapping patterns.

The brain tries to interpret the overlapping patterns as one pattern, but the regularity of the original patterns causes interference, resulting in the perception of a new, distorted pattern.

Moiré patterns can be observed in various settings, such as in textiles, screens and print media, and they are also used in science and technology, such as in measuring equipment and in the study of fluid dynamics.

Moiré pattern illusions are often used to study the neural mechanisms of visual perception, particularly the way that the brain processes and interprets complex visual information.

They can also be used to create interesting visual effects in art and design.

Version of the Moiré Pattern Illusion

The following is an alternate version of the Moiré Pattern Illusion:

Illusions like the Moiré Pattern Illusion

The Moiré Pattern illusion is a type of motion illusion, also known as a kinetic illusion. It is created by the interaction of straight lines that are arranged in a specific pattern, which creates the illusion of a spiral pattern moving inwards.

This illusion is a good example of how our visual system can be easily deceived by the combination of different visual cues, and how it can interpret them in a way that doesn’t match the physical reality. The Fraser spiral illusion is particularly interesting for scientists and researchers because it helps to understand how the brain processes and interprets visual information, specifically how it perceives motion and organizes visual information.

Some similar illusions are below:

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Hermann Grid Illusion in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.

The Zöllner Illusion, in which parallel lines appear to be tilted or bent when intersected by diagonal lines.

The barber pole illusion is an optical illusion that is characterized by the appearance of a spiral pattern on a vertically striped pole.

The Bezold Effect: This illusion is created by placing two or more colors next to each other, and the way they appear to change when they are close to one another.

Discovery of the Moiré Pattern Illusion

The Moiré pattern is a well-known optical illusion, and it is unlikely that any one person can be credited with its discovery.

The phenomenon of Moiré patterns has been observed and studied for centuries by scientists, mathematicians, and artists. Moiré patterns were first described mathematically by Swiss mathematician Johann Heinrich Lambert in 1760s.

The term “Moiré” comes from the French word for “watered” or “shaded”, referring to the wavy patterns that are created by the interference of the superimposed patterns.

Additionally, scientists and researchers have made contributions to the study of Moiré patterns by documenting the effects of different variables on the illusion, such as the shape, size, and spacing of the patterns, and the distance and angle of the viewer.

References and Resources

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Fraser Spiral Illusion

The Fraser spiral illusion is an optical illusion that is characterized by the appearance of a spiral pattern made up of concentric circles.

The illusion is created by the placement of a series of curved lines that appear to be spiraling inwards, with the center of the spiral appearing to be moving.

However, the lines are actually straight and parallel to each other. . This illusion is often used to study the neural mechanisms of visual perception and how the brain interprets and organizes visual information. The Fraser spiral illusion is an example of how the visual system can be deceived by the perception of apparent motion in static images.

How does the Fraser Spiral Illusion work?
Versions of the Fraser Spiral Illusion
Illusions like the Fraser Spiral Illusion
Discovery of the Fraser Spiral Illusion
References and Resources

How does the Fraser Spiral Illusion work?

The Fraser spiral illusion works by exploiting the way the brain processes and interprets visual information, particularly the perception of motion.

The illusion is created by a series of straight lines that are arranged in a way that appears to be spiraling inwards.

brain interprets the curved lines as if they are spiraling because of the way the lines are arranged and the way they are perceived as moving.

The human brain’s visual system is wired to perceive patterns and shapes that are familiar to it, and is sensitive to changes in the orientation of lines and edges.

The Fraser Spiral Illusion takes advantage of this by providing a pattern where the straight lines are arranged at different angles, creating a sense of movement.

The illusion is reinforced by the gradual change in the direction of the lines, which creates the impression of a spiral pattern.

Additionally, the brain uses the context of the surrounding lines to interpret the direction of the lines, and the brain interprets the lines as spiraling inwards because of the way the lines are positioned in relation to each other.

The illusion is not just limited to the spiral pattern, but also the center of the spiral appears to be moving, this is caused by the way the brain interprets the relative position of the lines in relation to each other.

Version of the Fraser Spiral Illusion

The following are some alternate versions of the Fraser Spiral Illusion:

Illusions like the Fraser Spiral Illusion

The Fraser spiral illusion is a type of motion illusion, also known as a kinetic illusion. It is created by the interaction of straight lines that are arranged in a specific pattern, which creates the illusion of a spiral pattern moving inwards.

Some similar illusions are below:

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Hermann Grid Illusion in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.

The Zöllner Illusion, in which parallel lines appear to be tilted or bent when intersected by diagonal lines.

The barber pole illusion is an optical illusion that is characterized by the appearance of a spiral pattern on a vertically striped pole.

The Bezold Effect: This illusion is created by placing two or more colors next to each other, and the way they appear to change when they are close to one another.

Discovery of the Fraser Spiral Illusion

The illusion is named after the psychologist James Fraser who first described this illusion in 1908.

Sir James Fraser was a British psychologist who made important contributions to the field of perception and cognitive psychology.

He was born in 1854 and died in 1941. He is best known for his work on visual perception, particularly for his description of the Fraser spiral illusion in 1908.

Fraser studied at Cambridge University and later became a professor of psychology at University College London.

He made a significant contribution to the study of visual perception, and his work on the Fraser spiral illusion helped to establish the field of cognitive psychology, which focuses on how the brain processes and interprets information.

He also made contributions to other areas of psychology such as memory and attention. He was knighted in 1935 for his services to psychology.

References and Resources

Check out our complete list of illusions and this cool variant of the Fraser Spiral Illusion: Concentric Circles Illusion

Barberpole Illusion

The barber pole illusion is an optical illusion that is characterized by the appearance of a spiral pattern on a vertically striped pole.

The illusion is created by the interaction of the contrasting colors of the stripes with the motion of the pole, which can make it appear to be moving in a spiral pattern.

he barber pole illusion is often used to study the neural mechanisms of visual perception, particularly the way that our brains process and interpret motion.

How does the Barberpole Illusion work?
Versions of the Barberpole Illusion
Illusions like the Barberpole Illusion
Discovery of the Barberpole Illusion
References and Resources
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How does the Barberpole Illusion work?

The barber pole illusion works by exploiting the way that our brains process and interpret visual information, particularly motion.

The vertical stripes of the barber pole create a sense of motion as the pole rotates, and the contrasting colors of the stripes can create the illusion of a spiral pattern.

This is because our visual system is sensitive to both color and motion, and the combination of these two factors creates the illusion of a spiral pattern.

Additionally, the way the stripes are arranged on the pole can also contribute to the illusion of a spiral pattern, as the brain interprets the relative position of the stripes as they move around the pole.

Version of the Barberpole Illusion

The following is an alternate version of the Baberpole Illusion:

Illusions like the Barberpole Illusion

The Barberpole illusion is a motion illusion, also known as a kinetic illusion. It is created by the interaction of color and motion, specifically the rotation of the pole with the vertical stripes on it, which creates the illusion of a spiral pattern moving up and down the pole.

Some similar illusions are below:

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Hermann Grid Illusion in which the intersections of a white grid on a black background appear to be gray, even though they are actually the same color as the background.

The Zöllner Illusion, in which parallel lines appear to be tilted or bent when intersected by diagonal lines.

The Fraser Spiral Illusion, in which a pattern of short, curved lines appears to form a spiral.

The Bezold Effect: This illusion is created by placing two or more colors next to each other, and the way they appear to change when they are close to one another.

Discovery of the Barberpole Illusion

The Barberpole illusion is a well-known optical illusion that has been studied for many years, so it is unlikely that any one person can be credited with its discovery.

The illusion has been known and described by various scientists and researchers over the years, and it is likely that it has been observed and described by many people independently.

However, several researchers and scientists have made contributions to the study of the Barberpole illusion by documenting the effects of different variables on the illusion, such as the color, size, and rotation speed of the stripes, and the distance and angle of the viewer.

Barber poles have been used for centuries, with the earliest known examples dating back to ancient civilizations.

Barber poles have been used in various forms across different cultures, but the traditional red and white striped poles that are commonly associated with barbershops today have their origins in medieval Europe.

Barber poles were used as a sign to indicate the location of a barbershop, and the red and white stripes were chosen as a symbol of the two main services provided by barbers of the time: bloodletting (which was often indicated by the red stripe) and hair cutting (indicated by the white stripe).

The first rotating barber poles were made in the late 1800s and early 1900s, which was when the Barberpole illusion started to be observed.

References and Resources

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Checkerboard Bulge

I love these cool checkerboard bulge illusions.

There are a few illusion types at play in here, but the effect is most similar to that of the famous Cafe Wall illusion.

A Few Other Checkerboard Bulge Examples

Table of Contents for the Cafe Wall (Base for Checkerboard Bulge)

How does the Café Wall work?
Versions of the Café Wall Illusion
Illusions like the Café Wall Illusion
Discovery of the Café Wall Illusion
References and Resources
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How does the Café Wall Illusion work?

The Cafe Wall Illusion works by creating the illusion of depth and perspective through the interaction of parallel lines and the edges of the squares in the checkerboard pattern. The parallel lines in the pattern create the illusion of rows of bricks that appear to be slanted, even though they are actually straight. The edges of the squares in the pattern also play a role in creating the illusion by creating the perception of shadows and highlights on the “bricks.”

The way the lines and edges interact with each other creates a conflict in the brain between the perception of the lines as straight and the perception of the rows as tilted. The brain resolves this conflict by interpreting the rows as slanted, which creates the illusion of depth and perspective. Additionally, the alternating light and dark rows also contribute to the illusion, as the brain perceives them as different depths of the wall.

The illusion is also affected by the viewer’s distance from the image, as the perceived tilt of the lines changes as the viewer moves closer or farther away. This is because the angle of the lines changes relative to the viewer’s perspective, which changes the way the lines and edges interact with each other.

Versions of the Café Wall Illusion

The following are some alternate versions of the Café Wall Illusion:

Cafe-Wall-Illusion-Building-Wikimedia-Source — From Wikimedia Commons

Cafe-Wall-Illusion-Original-Cafe-with-Richard-Gregory-Wikimedia-Source. — Original Cafe with-discoverer Richard Gregory from Wikimedia Commons

Cafe-Wall-Illusion-Purple-Yellow-and-Black

Illusions like the Café Wall Illusion

The following are some illusions similar to the Café Wall Illusion.

The Scintillating Grid Illusion, in which a grid of black and white squares appears to pulsate or “breathe” when viewed from the periphery of the image.

The Zöllner illusion is a visual illusion in which parallel lines appear to be angled due to the presence of intersecting lines.

The Müller-Lyer illusion: This illusion involves lines with arrowheads at the ends, which can make a line appear longer or shorter depending on the direction of the arrowheads.

The Wundt illusion is an optical illusion produces an inversed effect compared to the Hering Illusion. The vertical lines are both straight, but they may look as if they are curved inwards.

Discovery of the Café Wall Illusion

The Cafe Wall Illusion was first described by the British psychologist Richard Gregory in the 1970s.

Gregory was a cognitive psychologist who made significant contributions to the field of visual perception, including the discovery of the Cafe Wall Illusion.

References and Resources

Check out our complete list of illusions.