Did you know that the concept of True Mirror dates back to the 19th Century? Achieving this feat that early with limited technology certainly reaffirms the fact that Human Intelligence is far more superior than any other form of intelligence that we know of today.
You know what I mean right, because if I were to use that term here, Google may assume that I’ve used AI to generate this content and may penalize my article 🙂 and not let it rank 🙂 Just kidding, readers! I’d argue that Artificial Intelligence is just another chapter in the evolution of technology. Agreed, a chapter that seems longer and more complex yet extremely simply to use, than any other revolution we, as humans have witnessed in the past, but it is not an existential threat in anyway. Oops.. As always, I digressed, so let me come back to the History of True Mirrors and get to the bottom of what this invention even entailed, shall we?
The conceptualization of Non-Reversing Mirrors a.k.a. True Mirrors, as we know them today, was originally laid out by one of the most renowned physicists back in the day from Scotland, Sir David Brewster who introduced a revolutionary design that would change the way reflections worked.
Being a physicist and a keen explorer, his work in optics led him to experiment with different mirror configurations, seeking to eliminate the lateral inversion present in traditional mirrors, where the left and right sides of the reflection are swapped. Indeed genius, right? Let’s look at “how” it was even possible.
In 1812, Brewster published a paper titled “On the Formation of Images by Reflexion from Plane and Spherical Mirrors”. In this paper, Brewster described how a true mirror could be created by placing two mirrors at a 90-degree angle to each other. He also described how the true mirror could be used to create images that were not reversed left to right or top to bottom. This True Mirror concept was quite baffling to understand but had it been manufactured then, it could have literally changed the way we know ourselves today. We may have parted the hair the other way, or would have walked a certain way, or may have even smirked from another side of our lips. That’s because, what we see in our traditional mirrors is exactly the opposite of what others see us as, meaning when I wink at my own mirrored reflection with my left eye, my image inside the mirror winks its right eye and vice-versa.
According to Drew Brewster’s thesis, 2 mirror panels are affixed at right angles, forming an “L” shape. The first panel, on the left, is angled to face the viewer, while the second panel, on the bottom of the “L” shape, is angled upwards to form the right angle.
When two mirrors are arranged at right angles to each other, they form a 90-degree angle, which is essential for lateral inversion-free reflection.
Wondering what lateral inversion even is?
Lateral inversion refers to the phenomenon where an image appears flipped horizontally from left to right compared to the original object. For example, if you raise your right hand, the lateral inversion in a standard mirror would make it appear as if you are raising your left hand.
So, in order to overcome lateral inversion, Sir Brewster experimented with multiple combinations to have finally invented this lateral inversion-free reflection which enabled the viewers to see their own-selves as others do, but, Brewster’s work on the true mirror was not widely known until the 1880s. This is when, a New York based self-taught Engineer and Inventor, John Joseph Hooker rediscovered the principles of Brewster to build a working prototype of the true mirror, and he patented his invention in September 27th, 1887.
Check how patents looked back in the day.
Now, are you still with me? Glad you didn’t doze off as yet 🙂
The patent number is US370,623. The title of the patent is Mirror for Obtaining True or Positive Reflections.
The patent describes a mirror that is made by placing two mirrors at a 90-degree angle to each other. This creates a non-reversed image of the viewer. The patent also describes a method for making the mirror, which involves using a special type of glass that is coated with a reflective material.
The patent was filed in 1886 and was granted in 1887. This patent that you saw above holds immense value because this was the foundation in the development of the true mirror and its hugely popular trend on social media, be it those TikTok filters or Instagram Flip filters.
So, to all the TikTokers and Instagrammers, let us say – BTW, this is where it all started 🙂 Just trying to keep it light, so no pun intended!
Now, fast forward to 1982, John Walter independently discovered that it was possible to create a “true image reflection” by putting two mirrors together at right angles. He patented his invention in 1992 and founded the True Mirror Company.
As we’ve seen above, True Mirrors are not new, and that the initial concept was actually documented in 1812 and patented in 1887. However, Walter was the first person to make them commercially available which indeed is a commendable achievement.
As we now know that true mirrors do not reverse images in the way that normal mirrors do, it indeed is the most accurate form of mirror we have today because you get to see yourself the way other people see you.
Strangely, some people find true mirrors to be unsettling, as they are not used to seeing themselves in this way. Others find them to be liberating, as they can see themselves more accurately. John Walter believes that True Mirrors can help people develop a more positive self-image, which is a truly a valid point and I personally agree with it.
True mirrors are still relatively new, but they are gaining popularity. They are available online and in some retail stores. If you are interested in trying a true mirror, I encourage you to do so. It may be a life-changing experience. Before trying a physical one, you can also see yourself online for free on https://mytruemirror.com/true-mirror/