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Optical illusions Books
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Matthew Luckiesh
Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications
"Visual Illusions: Their Causes, Characteristics and Applications" by M. Luckiesh is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This work explores the complex phenomenon of visual illusions, their psychological and physiological underpinnings, and applications in various fields such as art and architecture. The author aims to provide an accessible overview of static visual illusions, emphasizing experimental facts while acknowledging the limitations of physical measurements in capturing human perception of reality. The opening of the book establishes the author's intent to delve into the intricacies of visual perception and illusions. Luckiesh opens with the thought that our perception often misrepresents reality, as illustrated by common visual phenomena, like the observer mistaking the distance of a mountain or perceiving a white paper as pink against a green backdrop. He discusses the psychological factors at play in perception, such as previous experiences and expectations, while asserting that visual illusions are not simply errors but are influenced by the mind's interpretations. This introduction sets the stage for the detailed examination of various types of illusions covered in subsequent chapters.
J. H. Brown
Spectropia; or, Surprising Spectral Illusions Showing Ghosts Everywhere, and of Any Colour
"Spectropia; or, Surprising Spectral Illusions" by J. H. Brown is an optical illusion book published in 1864. Disturbed by growing public belief in spiritualism, Brown created this illustrated work to offer scientific explanations for ghostly apparitions. The book features hand-colored plates that, when stared at and then looked away from, create spectral images floating on walls through the phenomenon of afterimage. Brown hoped to extinguish superstitious beliefs by showing how our senses can deceive us.
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