Variation of the Cafe Wall Illusion

Estimation 19 February 2015 0 Comments

Variation of the Cafe Wall Illusion

In this variation of the Cafe Wall illusion, created by Alan Stubbs, the vertical gray lines between the black and white squares appear to be quite wavy.  If you take a straight edge (like a sheet of paper or a ruler), however, and hold it up to the lines, you will find that they are […]

Warped Circles Optical Illusion

Estimation,Video 11 December 2014 0 Comments

Warped Circles Optical Illusion

This brief video shows a pair of circles that appear to be very warped or distorted.  Using circles cut out from a sheet of white paper, the creator of this video demonstrates that there is nothing warped about them at all.  Even after you know the truth, once the white circle cut outs are removed, […]

Spaceships Optical Illusion

Estimation 3 November 2014 0 Comments

Spaceships Optical Illusion

In this new twist on an old optical illusion, two spaceships can be seen flying through a wormhole.  The spaceship in the front appears to be significantly smaller (maybe half as big?) than the one behind it.  Surprisingly, however, both spaceships are the exact same size.  The wings of the spaceship in the back are […]

Spheres Relative Size

Estimation 2 October 2014 0 Comments

Spheres Relative Size

The sphere that is placed closest to you looks to be about half the size as the sphere in the background.  Surprisingly, both spheres are exactly the same size.  If you don’t believe it, grab a ruler and measure them both to confirm. For a similar effect, be sure to revisit the SUV Illusion where […]

Major Drapkin Illusion Card #18 – The Rod Illusion

Estimation 9 July 2014 0 Comments

Major Drapkin Illusion Card #18 – The Rod Illusion

Today’s illusion comes to us straight from the “Roaring ’20s”.   It is the 18th card in a series of 25 optical illusion cards published in 1926 by Major Drapkin & Co (London) which was a branch of The United Kingdom Tobacco Co Ltd.   The reverse side of the card contains the following: Which is […]

A Turn in the Road

Estimation,Video 5 June 2014 0 Comments

A Turn in the Road

Last week, we posted the first place winner of the 2014 Best Illusion of the Year Contest.  Today’s illusion is the third place winner called ‘A Turn in the Road’ by Kimberley D. Orsten and James R. Pomerantz from Rice University in Houston, Texas.  This illusion video shows three images, two of which are matching images […]

The Dynamic Ebbinghaus Illusion

Estimation,Video 30 May 2014 0 Comments

The Dynamic Ebbinghaus Illusion

The 10th annual edition of the Best Illusion of the Year contest was held on May 18, 2014 in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Taking home the prestigious first place prize were Christopher D. Blair, Gideon P. Caplovitz, and Ryan E.B. Mruczek from the University of Nevada Reno.  Their illusion was a new twist on an old […]