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Jastrow illusion

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Identical railway tracks as a real example of a Jastrow illusion

The Jastrow illusion is an optical illusion described by the American psychologist Joseph Jastrow in 1892[1].

In the illustration below, the two figures are identical, although the lower one appears to be larger. The short edge of the upper figure is compared to the long side of the lower one.

This illusion is often included in magic kits and several versions are sold in magic shops. English magician Ian Adair invented the Butterfly Puzzle magic trick where the two shapes are caterpillars that turn into a butterfly.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Jastrow, J. (1892). Studies from the Laboratory of Experimental Psychology of the University of Wisconsin. II. The American Journal of Psychology, 4(3), 381. http://doi.org/10.2307/1411617