No Red Coke Illusion

In the No Red Coke Illusion, there is no red at all in this image of the iconic Coke can. The background has been manipulated to create this effect. That manipulation plus your preconceived idea about what a Coke can looks like is the magic behind this No Red Coke Illusion.

If you don’t believe that there is no red in the Coke can, keep scrolling down to see the image as we zoom in to reveal the truth.

No Red Coke Illusion

Removing some of the background….

No Red Coke Illusion

Removing some more of the background….

No Red Coke Illusion

Removing more to show just the “red”…

No Red Coke Illusion

Also, check out the related No Blue Pepsi Illusion and then keep scrolling to learn more about how both of these illusions.


Table of Contents

What is the All The No Red Coke Illusion

The No Red Coke Illusion is created by the Bezold effect which is a visual phenomenon that occurs when a color appears to change in hue or brightness depending on the colors that surround it.

Named after the German scientist Wilhelm von Bezold, who first described the effect in the 19th century, the Bezold effect is caused by the way that different colors interact with each other in the human visual system. When a color is placed next to a different color, the cells in the retina that are sensitive to that color are stimulated differently than they would be if the color were seen in isolation. This can cause the color to appear lighter or darker, or to shift in hue.

How does the No Red Coke Illusion Work


The No Red Coke Illusion works because of the Bezold Effect.

The Bezold effect occurs because of the way that different colors interact with each other in the human visual system. When we look at a color, the cells in our retina that are sensitive to that color are stimulated, sending signals to our brain that allow us to perceive the color. However, these signals are also influenced by the colors that surround the target color.

The two main types of Bezold effect are simultaneous contrast and successive contrast. In simultaneous contrast, the color of an object can appear to shift in hue or brightness depending on the colors that surround it. For example, a gray square placed on a black background may appear lighter than the same gray square placed on a white background. This occurs because the cells in our retina that are sensitive to the gray color are receiving different levels of stimulation depending on the colors that surround it.

Successive contrast, on the other hand, occurs when a color appears to change in response to a preceding color. For example, staring at a red square for several seconds and then looking at a white surface may cause the surface to appear greenish. This occurs because the cells in our retina that are sensitive to the color red become fatigued after prolonged exposure, which causes them to respond less strongly to the color. When we then look at a white surface, the cells that are sensitive to green are relatively more stimulated, causing the surface to appear greenish.

Overall, the Bezold effect is an important phenomenon in color perception and has practical applications in fields such as design, art, and printing. By understanding how different colors interact with each other, designers can create more effective color schemes and use color to evoke specific emotions or moods.

Discovery of the No Red Coke Illusion

The reason the No Red Coke Illusion works is the Bezold effect which is named after Wilhelm von Bezold, a German scientist who first described the phenomenon in the late 19th century. Von Bezold was a professor of physics at the University of Munich and conducted extensive research in the fields of optics, color theory, and meteorology. He made several important contributions to the study of color perception, including his work on the Bezold effect, which has since become an important concept in the field of color theory and design.

Wilhelm von Bezold (1837-1907) was a German physicist and meteorologist who made important contributions to the fields of optics, color theory, and meteorology. Born in Munich, von Bezold studied at the University of Munich and later became a professor of physics at the same institution.

Von Bezold is best known for his work in color theory, particularly his research on the Bezold effect, which describes how colors can appear to change in hue or brightness depending on the colors that surround them. He also conducted important research on the spectral analysis of light and color perception, and made significant contributions to the field of meteorology, including the development of new instruments for measuring atmospheric phenomena.

In addition to his scientific work, von Bezold was also a talented artist and musician. He created several paintings and drawings that were influenced by his scientific research on color, and also composed music, including several operas.

Today, von Bezold is remembered as an important figure in the history of science, particularly in the fields of optics and color theory. His work on the Bezold effect and other aspects of color perception continues to have important implications for fields such as design, art, and advertising.


References and Resources

In addition to the No Red Coke Illusion, check out our No Blue Pepsi Illusion and this No Red Tomato Illusion. Also, check out our complete list of illusions.