Two Identical Pieces of a Toy Train Set Create a Baffling Optical Illusion

BBC Academy trainer Marc Blank-Settle discovered that two identical pieces of his toddler’s toy train set could be used to create a baffling optical illusion. Although they are the same size, when one piece is placed above the other and the left edges are aligned, the bottom piece appears larger.

This is known as the Jastrow illusion, and it is due to the fact that the outside arc of both pieces is larger than the inside arc, and because the left edges of the pieces are aligned, offsetting the bottom the piece.

via Slate, DesignTAXI

Glen Tickle
Glen Tickle

Amelia's dad. Steph's husband. Writer, comedian, gentleman. Good at juggling, bad at chess.

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