Get the latest tech news

Using the moiré effect to show different arrows to each observer (2018)


A brilliant optical trick makes this sign read correctly from any possible angle.

Imagine you're in charge of guiding ships into a harbor and you want to use a sign to direct them all to one specific point, perhaps a dock or a channel. Here in 2018, your mind might go to location tracking or some other high tech solution, but in 1982, some clever engineers had already figured out an answer with no electronics required. The Inogon Leading Mark makes use of what's called the moiré effect, that strange type of distortion you see when looking at a series of overlapping, not-quite-parallel lines.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Hacker News

Read more on:

Photo of observer

observer

Photo of moiré effect

moiré effect

Photo of different arrows

different arrows

Related news:

News photo

Phil Schiller To Join OpenAI Board In 'Observer' Role Following Apple's ChatGPT Deal