Mirage

The Mirage is one of those classic toys that has been around for several decades now, but never loses its appeal. It produces a small, full-color hologram of natural, lifelike appearance, allowing 360-degree viewing. The little plastic pig seems solid enough, but when you try and touch it, your fingers find that it is just an illusion - there is nothing there.

Mirage consists of two opposing parabolic mirrors. In overall appearance, Mirage resembles a small 9inch wok with a 2 inch circular opening in the top. The physical object to be converted to a hologram is placed in the concave centre of the bottom mirror. A hologram instantly projects up through this aperture, appearing to the viewer as a truly solid object. We supply the little plastic pig, but you can place any object in the Mirage, and instantly convert it into a wonderful optical illusion!

Mirage was originally discovered over 30 years ago, when a member of staff at the University of California at Santa Barbara was cleaning around a stack of searchlight reflectors (which are parabolic reflectors of course!) when he noticed that he was trying to clean off some 'dust' that turned out not to actually be there! He showed this to one of the physics professors, and the two of them started making a commercial product, based around the phenomenon that they had accidentally discovered.

Their initial product was made of glass, and was quite expensive. Later an American company called Optigone took out a licence, and started making a version in plastic, which could sell for a third of the price. There have been even cheaper copies made in the Far East, but they tend to have lower quality optics. We sell the genuine Optigone Mirage.


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  My favourite illusion toy of all!  I've loved the Mirage since I first saw it in a science museum when I was a child. Your prompt e-mail replies and rapid international delivery impressed me greatly, congratulations! Everyone I show it to is astonished - and the effect really can be filmed very effectively at home. Try putting coins in it (taking care to avoid scratches) and watch how many people try to swipe it... Thanks for supplying this outstanding piece of "illusion sculpture".   Nardia Bordas

  Truly stunning  This is a magnificent object. I used it in a negotiation training course to develop curiosity and it really worked! The whole team bargained for ownership and it ended up with an agreement for joint custody!   Amanda Bucklow

    WOW ! Fantastic item, it truly blew my mind, I showed it to the people who accepted the delivery on my behalf and immediately they ordered one of their own for their jewellry shop ! they have fooled many customers with it's illusion and are also truly pleased. I will keep looking at your website. regards,   Christopher