Short Wave Unveiling Olo — A Color Out of Oz!
Jun 6, 2025
Discover the fascinating world of Olo, a color that no one can perceive in nature. Experts reveal how a unique method stimulates specific retinal cones to show off this vibrant teal. Learn how color perception transforms everyday scenes into extraordinary experiences. The cultural impact of Olo extends to artists like Stuart Semple, who creatively channels its essence into new paints. This exploration uncovers the science behind our visual experiences and highlights differences in color perception across species.
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Human Color Vision Mechanism
- Human color vision is based on three types of cone photoreceptors sensitive to long, middle, and short wavelengths.
- This allows us to perceive up to 10 million different hues through brain processing.
Color Perception Varies by Person
- Different people see colors slightly differently due to unique cone sensitivities.
- Colorblind people perceive a limited color range, often seeing only shades of blue and yellow.
Creating a New Color
- The team targeted M-cones uniquely to see if it would produce a distinct color or cause confusion.
- Their successful creation of Olo proved it is possible to stimulate a new color never seen before.