

Mirrors, due to their natural properties, reverse things when you look into them. That's why the writing on your shirt looks backwards in a mirror. That's not a big problem for most people, but mathematician Andrew Hicks, it was a challenge.
Using all sorts of math, he's created a magic mirror that actually shows things un-reversed. No, there's no camera inside and it's not a screen, it's merely a specially bent surface that precisely reflects the image in a way that you'll be able to read what's written on your shirt. Practical? Maybe not, because I think I'd be really disoriented brushing my teeth in front of this thing, but cool nonetheless.
New Scientist, Via Oh Gizmo!
By Old Man Dotes at 12:49 PM ON 02/25/09
For objects that will be centered in front of the mirror and vertically-oriented, you can do exactly the same thing using two mirrors set at right angles to each other; the viewer stands in front of the mirrors' center line, so that each mirror is at 45 degrees to her.
By Felipe 058 at 1:22 PM ON 02/25/09
I don't quite see how a simple parabola is classified as "all sorts of math," or a parabolic mirror, which by the way is nothing new, as a "magic mirror."
By Felipe 058 at 1:34 PM ON 02/25/09
I'm sorry, or is it a hyperbolic mirror? Either way, it's neither "all sorts of math" nor is it "magic."
By xTdub at 1:50 PM ON 02/25/09
Technically all this does is reverse the image. With a normal flat mirror, the image is actually not reversed it is reflecting exactly how the light rays hit it.
By gaveedra at 6:24 PM ON 02/25/09
wow, i did this same thing for my seventh grade science project. i went to public school
By V at 10:31 PM ON 02/25/09
Shame on you, Andrew Hicks. Such mirror is just plain simple. I've thought about this when I was in school. Nothing to be proud of.
By thexfile at 3:17 AM ON 02/26/09
i think this is cool especialy in clothes shops.
oke it my be funny to see yourself as peopele see you but it could be very handy i think...
it's also a pretty cool way to show kids the good of maths and physiks ;-)
By ThomWill at 10:36 AM ON 02/26/09
"That's not a big problem for most people, but mathematician Andrew Hicks, it was a challenge," did your proof reader call in sick today?
By Tom at 10:08 PM ON 02/26/09
This was discovered many years ago when a college kid noticed that an image in a soap bubble did not reverse the image. He also figured out the math.
By taks23 at 1:44 PM ON 03/01/09
nice catch thomwill...ha, ha....pathetic editing
taks23:
nice catch thomwill...ha, ha....pathetic editing...More »