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    Stuff You Should Know

    Magic Eye Illusions

    Thu Jul 20 2023
    Major League Baseball5G technologybinocular visionstereogramsMagic Eye postersMagic Eye puzzlesFahrenheit to Celsius conversion

    Description

    The episode covers Major League Baseball's partnership with T-Mobile for Business to enhance the game with 5G technology. It explores the history of binocular vision and stereograms, including the invention of the stereoscope and the development of auto-stereograms. The phenomenon of Magic Eye posters is discussed, from their popularity in the early 1990s to their use in eye exercises and recovery processes. The creation and viewing of Magic Eye puzzles are explained, along with listener insights on Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion.

    Insights

    Enhancing Baseball with 5G Technology

    Major League Baseball has partnered with T-Mobile for Business to bring real-time data visualization, new camera angles, and an automated ball strike system to the game using 5G technology.

    The Evolution of Binocular Vision and Stereograms

    From ancient beliefs about eye rays to the invention of the stereoscope and the development of auto-stereograms, the concept of binocular vision and depth perception has evolved over time.

    The Magic of Magic Eye Posters

    Magic Eye posters, popular in the early 1990s, use stereograms to reveal hidden 3D images. They became a huge phenomenon, generating millions in revenue and appearing on various products.

    Creating and Viewing Magic Eye Puzzles

    Magic eye puzzles can be created using free software and involve adding depth to images. To view them, one must relax their eyes and focus beyond the image, allowing the hidden picture to appear.

    Insights on Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion

    A listener named Jake provided insights on converting Celsius to Fahrenheit, correcting Chuck's method and suggesting an easier calculation using fractions.

    Chapters

    1. Major League Baseball and 5G Technology
    2. History of Binocular Vision and Stereograms
    3. Magic Eye Posters and the Phenomenon
    4. Creating and Viewing Magic Eye Puzzles
    5. Listener Insights on Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion
    Summary
    Transcript

    Major League Baseball and 5G Technology

    00:00 - 07:17

    • Major League Baseball has partnered with T-Mobile for Business to enhance the game with 5G technology
    • The 5G era of baseball includes real-time data visualization, new camera angles, and an automated ball strike system in the minor leagues

    History of Binocular Vision and Stereograms

    06:49 - 21:16

    • Ancient scholars believed that our eyes emitted rays, but Al Hazin proposed the idea of sensing convergence to determine distance.
    • Kepler and Descartes suggested that we feel how our eyes rotate to know where they are focused.
    • Sir Charles Wheatstone invented the stereoscope, which proved binocular vision by combining two slightly different images into one with depth perception.
    • The stereoscope became increasingly smaller and more portable over time.
    • David Brewster created a handheld version of the stereoscope coinciding with the development of photography.
    • Stereograms became popular in the mid-19th century, with Queen Victoria being a fan.
    • Stereoscopic images were produced in large quantities for entertainment purposes.
    • Stereoscopic images were created with two lenses to mimic the eyes.
    • American surgeon Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. invented the stereograph and coined the term stereogram.
    • The term stereogram is still used today for enthusiasts of stereoscopic photography.
    • The auto stereogram was developed in the 1950s by neuroscientist Bella Yuliz.
    • Yuliz's random dot stereogram created a third image that appeared to pop out when viewed with unfocused eyes.

    Magic Eye Posters and the Phenomenon

    20:52 - 41:26

    • Magic eye posters were popular in the early 1990s
    • Magic eye posters are stereograms that reveal a hidden 3D image when you relax your eyes and focus beyond the poster
    • Binocular vision allows us to see depth perception by combining images from both eyes
    • The brain quickly processes the two images to create a complete picture with depth perception
    • Magic eye posters combine two separate images to create a third image with a circle popping out.
    • The brain compares pixel by pixel the images from each eye and creates an illusion of depth.
    • Christopher Tyler developed the auto-stereogram, which allows for a single image to create a 3D effect.
    • Tom Bache used auto-stereograms in advertising, starting with an ad featuring a MIME.
    • Bache created custom auto-stereograms for people who requested them.
    • Bache created Magic Eye as an advertising tool for American Airlines.
    • Realizing its popularity, Bache decided to sell Magic Eye directly to the public.
    • He started doing mail order and partnered with a Japanese company called Tenyo.
    • Tenyo licensed Magic Eye and published books based on it.
    • Magic Eye became a bestseller in Japan and then gained popularity in America.
    • Bache partnered with Bob Salitsky to improve the computer program and add color to the images.
    • They released multiple books, all of which became bestsellers.
    • People enjoyed the superiority of being able to see the hidden images while others couldn't.
    • Magic Eye merchandise appeared in various forms like comic strips, cereal boxes, and postcards.
    • Magic Eye became a huge phenomenon in the early 1990s, appearing on various products and gaining popularity.
    • The peak year for Magic Eye was in 1993 or 1994, when it generated between $200 and $250 million in revenue.
    • Hallusion Artprints, a company started by Paul Heber and Mike Bellinsky, stood out with their well-made art prints of Magic Eye posters.
    • However, competition from cheaper alternatives caused Hallusion Artprints to fade.
    • Magic Eye stereograms proved to be helpful for people with eye alignment issues or poor muscular development.
    • These stereograms can be used as exercises to improve eye muscle coordination.
    • There is a critical window during childhood where the brain learns to combine images from both eyes into one cohesive whole.
    • Surgery can correct certain eye conditions, and Magic Eye posters are used as part of the recovery process.
    • Making Magic Eye puzzles today is easier with the availability of free software.

    Creating and Viewing Magic Eye Puzzles

    41:01 - 47:41

    • Magic eye puzzles can be created using free software
    • The images in magic eye puzzles are made by creating a silhouette and adding depth using grayscale shading
    • A repeating pattern is laid over the image to create the final effect
    • Magic eye puzzles have become more sophisticated over time, with detailed scenes and realistic depth
    • When viewing a magic eye puzzle, the lighter shades appear closer while darker shades appear further away
    • To see a magic eye puzzle, you can try holding it close to your nose and slowly pulling it away while unfocusing your eyes
    • Staring at two dots above the image can also help unfocus your eyes and reveal the hidden picture
    • Magic eye puzzles are not a joke and provide real images that can be seen with patience and relaxation of the eyes

    Listener Insights on Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion

    47:23 - 50:07

    • Chuck commended Josh for attempting live math on the show
    • A listener named Jake corrected Chuck's Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion method
    • Jake explained that for Celsius to Fahrenheit, you add 32 after the multiplication
    • Jake suggested treating 1.8 as the fraction nine fifths for easier calculation
    • Using Jake's method, 21 degrees Celsius would be converted to approximately 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Chuck thanked Jake and other listeners for correcting him
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