Magic Eye
Encyclopedia
Magic Eye is a series of books published by N.E. Thing Enterprises (renamed in 1996 to Magic Eye Inc.). The books feature autostereogram
s (precisely, random dot autostereogram), which allow people to see 3D
images by focusing on 2D
patterns. The viewer must diverge his or her eyes in order to see a hidden three-dimensional image within the pattern. "Magic Eye" has become something of a genericized trademark
, often used to refer to autostereograms of any origin. The autostereogram predates the Magic Eye series by several years. Christopher Tyler
created the first autostereograms in 1979.
Unable to find an American publisher after creating its first images in 1991, creators Tom Baccei and Cheri Smith managed to make a deal with Tenyo, a Japanese company that sells magic supplies. Tenyo
published its first book in late 1991 titled Miru Miru Mega Yokunaru Magic Eye (“Your Eyesight Gets Better & Better in a Very Short Rate of Time: Magic Eye”), sending sales representatives out to street corners to demonstrate how to see the hidden image. Within a few weeks the first Japanese book became a best seller, as did the second, rushed out shortly after.
The first North American Magic Eye book, Magic Eye: A New Way of Looking at the World was released by Andrews & McMeel in 1993. Within a year it had been followed by two sequels that were also extremely popular. The three books spent a cumulative total of 73 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. Dozens of other books and other products have been released since then; Magic Eye stereograms have been featured on postcard
s, mousepad
s, lunch box
es, and even necktie
s. Magic Eye stereograms have also been featured in a weekly newspaper comic panel syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate
.
The Magic Eye images have a horizontally repeating pattern which differs slightly with each repetition, therefore giving the illusion
of depth when each eye focuses on a different part of the pattern. The stereograms were created using a patented process that allows colorful patterns to be used in creating the final images.
Magic Eye stereograms have been used by orthoptists and vision therapists in the treatment of some binocular vision
and accommodative
disorders.
Autostereogram
An autostereogram is a single-image stereogram , designed to create the visual illusion of a three-dimensional scene from a two-dimensional image in the human brain...
s (precisely, random dot autostereogram), which allow people to see 3D
Three-dimensional space
Three-dimensional space is a geometric 3-parameters model of the physical universe in which we live. These three dimensions are commonly called length, width, and depth , although any three directions can be chosen, provided that they do not lie in the same plane.In physics and mathematics, a...
images by focusing on 2D
2D geometric model
A 2D geometric model is a geometric model of an object as two-dimensional figure, usually on the Euclidean or Cartesian plane.Even though all material objects are three-dimensional, a 2D geometric model is often adequate for certain flat objects, such as paper cut-outs and machine parts made of...
patterns. The viewer must diverge his or her eyes in order to see a hidden three-dimensional image within the pattern. "Magic Eye" has become something of a genericized trademark
Genericized trademark
A genericized trademark is a trademark or brand name that has become the colloquial or generic description for, or synonymous with, a general class of product or service, rather than as an indicator of source or affiliation as intended by the trademark's holder...
, often used to refer to autostereograms of any origin. The autostereogram predates the Magic Eye series by several years. Christopher Tyler
Christopher Tyler
Christopher W. Tyler is a visual psychophysicist, creator of the autostereogram and is the Head of the Smith-Kettlewell Brain Imaging Center.-Biography:Shortly after earning his PhD at the University of Keele , Dr...
created the first autostereograms in 1979.
Unable to find an American publisher after creating its first images in 1991, creators Tom Baccei and Cheri Smith managed to make a deal with Tenyo, a Japanese company that sells magic supplies. Tenyo
Tenyo
Tenyo Ltd. is a toy manufacturer in Tokyo, Japan. They specialize in magical goods and jigsaw puzzles.The name of the company originates from the founder's father, Shokyokusai Tenyo, who was a magician.- History :...
published its first book in late 1991 titled Miru Miru Mega Yokunaru Magic Eye (“Your Eyesight Gets Better & Better in a Very Short Rate of Time: Magic Eye”), sending sales representatives out to street corners to demonstrate how to see the hidden image. Within a few weeks the first Japanese book became a best seller, as did the second, rushed out shortly after.
The first North American Magic Eye book, Magic Eye: A New Way of Looking at the World was released by Andrews & McMeel in 1993. Within a year it had been followed by two sequels that were also extremely popular. The three books spent a cumulative total of 73 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. Dozens of other books and other products have been released since then; Magic Eye stereograms have been featured on postcard
Postcard
A postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....
s, mousepad
Mousepad
A mousepad or mouse mat is a surface for enhancing the usability of a computer mouse.-History:During a 1968 presentation by Douglas Engelbart marking the public debut of a mouse,...
s, lunch box
Lunch box
The lunch box, also referred to as a lunch pail or lunch kit, is used to store food to be taken to work or school. The concept of a food container has existed for a long time, but it wasn't until people began using tobacco tins to haul meals in the early 20th century, followed by the use of...
es, and even necktie
Necktie
A necktie is a long piece of cloth worn for decorative purposes around the neck or shoulders, resting under the shirt collar and knotted at the throat. Variants include the ascot tie, bow tie, bolo tie, and the clip-on tie. The modern necktie, ascot, and bow tie are descended from the cravat. Neck...
s. Magic Eye stereograms have also been featured in a weekly newspaper comic panel syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate
Universal Press Syndicate
Universal Press Syndicate, a subsidiary of Andrews McMeel Universal, is the world's largest independent press syndicate. It distributes lifestyle and opinion columns, comic strips and other content. Popular columns include Dear Abby, Ann Coulter, Roger Ebert and News of the Weird...
.
The Magic Eye images have a horizontally repeating pattern which differs slightly with each repetition, therefore giving the illusion
Illusion
An illusion is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. While illusions distort reality, they are generally shared by most people....
of depth when each eye focuses on a different part of the pattern. The stereograms were created using a patented process that allows colorful patterns to be used in creating the final images.
Magic Eye stereograms have been used by orthoptists and vision therapists in the treatment of some binocular vision
Binocular vision
Binocular vision is vision in which both eyes are used together. The word binocular comes from two Latin roots, bini for double, and oculus for eye. Having two eyes confers at least four advantages over having one. First, it gives a creature a spare eye in case one is damaged. Second, it gives a...
and accommodative
Accommodation reflex
The accommodation reflex is a reflex action of the eye, in response to focusing on a near object, then looking at distant object , comprising coordinated changes in vergence, lens shape and pupil size...
disorders.
External links
- Magic Eye website
- How to See 3D and Magic Eye
- Explora Museum in Frankfurt/Main - Germany - Europe
- 3D Museum in Dinkelsbühl - Germany - Europe
- US Patent 5,371,627; Random dot stereogram and method for making the same
- some original Magic Eye pictures and animations
- Magic Eye pictures and illusions
- Free Magic Eye 3D Pictures
- Create your own Magic Eye Stereogram images