talkmagic.co.uk

Hey forum,

So, my question isn't really magic-related, but it relays on a trick with mirrors.

So floating about the Internet Market is a little novelty called a `True Mirror` it shows your reflection without horizontally-flipping it like a normal mirror does.



It's actually quite simple to make, it works by placing two mirrors at a right-angle. The advantage of purchasing the commerical version is the seam down the middle where the two mirrors meet is invisible. (However the commerical version is also $200.)

I was hoping with many people here probably having vast experience concealing mirrors, one of you would be able to offer advice on replicating this seamless-look?

Heres a little video of this neat little contraption in action as well: http://www.grand-illusions.com/images/a ... mirror.wmv" target="_blank

Thanks in advance guys!

In many of these illusions the join is hidden by a vertical pole, table leg, sword or similar.

What do you mean by "seam down the middle" ? There isn't one. The mirrors are joined at the back left edge of the box (in the picture) - one diagonally, the other on the left side of the box. It is a different configuration to the swords through head illusion. Try it with two mirrors or cds or something and you'll see what I mean. No join in the middle.

Jim

perhaps I explained badly.



The above picture is someone's homemade true mirror, obviously the illusion is broken by the thick vertical line in the middle. The commerical true mirror uses the same-setup (as described on their website) but somehow hides the vertical seam?

edit - Found this product called "Mirror in a can" - Perhaps this could be the solution? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rcHKdnh79M

Daniel the two pictures you posted use a different configuration. The one with the cars is NOT the same as the picture with the mug. The one with the mug is as I said - two mirrors at a 45 degree angle, joined at the back left corner of the box. One is diagonal from the back left corner to the front right corner - the other from the back left corner to the front left corner. It requires only one object (in this case a mug) in front of the box.

The second (car) picture is a totally different thing all together and looks like a crude attempt at recreating the illusion by someone who doesn't understand how it works. This homemade attempt requires 3 of the object (in this case cars) to make it work. In fact the reflection would look the same if you took away the car in front (closest to you). This front car is NOT reflected at all in the mirrors and is just placed there to complete the illusion.

As I said, if you try it the way I described with two reflective objects you'll clearly see what I mean. There is no join or seam in the middle of the top picture - they are joined at the back left corner.

Jim

Sorry Jim, it took me a while to understand what you mean't, but yes I see now!

You should apparently be able to get the same result by bending single flexible mirror. According to Martin Gardner, in The Ambidextrous Universe, this goes back as far as Plato.

Barry

magicofthemind wrote:You should apparently be able to get the same result by bending single flexible mirror. According to Martin Gardner, in The Ambidextrous Universe, this goes back as far as Plato.

Barry

You can but if I recall it is not as easy as that as the bend has to be percise because if the mirror curves there could be distortion. But I may be thinking of something else it has been a long time since I played around with illusions.

Have a look here:

http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/cylindrical_mirror/