Optical Illusions Win Annual Contest
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Two identical gears, each with eight teeth, rotate at the same speed with their teeth touching as they rotate. When viewers focus on one gear, the other, as seen through peripheral vision, appears to spin faster — though both are moving at the same speed. This visual trick was revealed Tuesday at the Best Illusion of the Year Contest, sponsored by the Museum of Illusions, headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, with more than seventy museums globally. A panel of scientists, artists, communicators and previous winners selected the top contenders from several dozen submissions, and thousands of people voted online to determine the winners.
More context
Timeline
- On January 30 2015 Vision researchers hold annual competition for best illusion.
- On May 20 2025 Live Science publishes article on optical illusion science.
- On October 27 2026 Washington Post reports on winning optical illusion contest.
Why it matters
Immediate US impact: Increases public interest in visual perception studies Possible long-term US impact: Encourages educational outreach on neuroscience Most affected groups: Students, educators, science enthusiasts Reader priority: High curiosity and engagement
Coverage notes
Center: Coverage from Live Science, TODAY.com, bbc.com frames this as a developing news story: Optical Illusions Win Annual Contest. Reporting emphasizes verified facts, named sources, and near-term impact for readers. Left: Left-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize public impact, institutional accountability, and who is most affected. Right: Right-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize practical outcomes, market or security stakes, and institutional response.
Primary report
The Washington Post — Optical Illusions Win Annual Contest
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
