Mystery Spiral

A very strange optical illusion that has fascinated for over 70 years!

Totally self contained, this is the ultimate optical illusion.
You will fascinate YOURSELF, even when you know how it works!

The Mystery Spiral looks like two interlocking wire spirals.
When passed through your fingers, the two spirals seem to wind together or wind apart, growing longer or shorter.
Well, that's not much of a mystery.

OR IS IT??!!
When you hand the spiral to your spectator, they find that the Mystery Spiral is permanently welded into ONE PIECE- there are no moving parts!
But you can SEE it move, right?
So how does it get longer or shorter???

The Mystery Spiral is an example of the "Mephisto Spiral", an optical illusion principle discovered in the mid 1900s by an MIT student who was mindlessly twiddling and bending some wires as he was studying for an exam.

Worth the practice!
Even though this is a completely self-working little illusion, the presentation and smooth operation of the effect will go a long way in making this a better effect.
Just practice by performing it slowly, over and over, until even YOU convince yourself of the magic!
And it is quite relaxing!

Wonderful for classroom use!
This charming magic trick is so easy to perform, and a great visual for illustrating the concept of optical illusion.

If you do hand it out, make sure your spectators handle it with care.
It's welded wire, and rough handling can break it!