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# optical.toys

> Interactive optical illusions with scientific explanations

## About
A collection of browser-based optical illusions and visual toys. Each illusion includes interactive canvas-based demonstrations and explanations of the underlying perceptual science, with citations to original research.

## Contact
toymaker@toms.toys

## Site
- Homepage: https://optical.toys/
- RSS: https://optical.toys/index.xml

## Illusions by Category

### Motion Aftereffects
- /waterfall-effect/ - Classic motion aftereffect (stare at center, then look away to see surroundings warp)
- /motion-aftereffect/ - Spiral-based motion aftereffect demonstration

### Pattern & Geometric Illusions
- /cafe-wall/ - Parallel lines appear angled due to offset tiles (discovered 1898, named by Richard Gregory)
- /ouchi-illusion/ - Inset circle appears to float/move independently
- /concentric-spirals/ - Fraser spiral illusion with animation
- /checkerboard-angles/ - Perspective distortion in checkerboard pattern
- /schroders-stairs/ - Ambiguous 3D staircase (can flip perception)
- /no-spirals-spirals/ - Spirals perceived where none exist

### Color & Contrast Illusions
- /rgb-color-assimilation-ball/ - Colored lines change perceived ball color
- /contrast-effect/ - Simultaneous contrast demonstration
- /reverse-phi-effect/ - Color-based reverse motion perception
- /lilac-chaser/ - Afterimage with peripheral fading (Pac-Man illusion)

### Peripheral Vision Illusions
- /healing-grid/ - Peripheral vision "repairs" missing grid intersections
- /troxler-fade/ - Static peripheral stimuli fade from awareness
- /disappearing-bicyclist/ - Motion-based peripheral disappearance

### Face Perception
- /thatcher-effect/ - Inverted faces hide obvious distortions (Thompson, 1980)
- /spinning-duck/ - Ambiguous silhouette rotation direction

### Motion Artifacts
- /bamboozled/ - Static pattern appears to move
- /dots-that-wont-quit/ - Persistent apparent motion
- /dots-that-will-quit/ - Apparent motion that stops
- /illusory-motion-beans/ - Bean shapes appear to move
- /stepping-feet/ - Identical speeds appear different due to contrast
- /gradient-motion/ - Gradient creates motion perception
- /shifty-peaches/ - Color and motion combination effect

### Persistence of Vision
- /persistance-of-vision-static-cube/ - POV demonstration with cube

### Interactive Toys
- /kaleidoscope/ - Drag and drop images to create kaleidoscope patterns

## Technical
Built with Hugo static site generator. All illusions are interactive HTML5 Canvas or WebGL implementations that run in-browser with no plugins required.