106: Magic Eye

106: Magic Eye

From 500 Open Tabs by Kaveh Taherian & Hannah Hillam

February 25, 2026 · 58 min · Season 3 · Episode 106

About this episode

This episode explores the history and cultural impact of Magic Eye images and discusses a listener's email about ocean floor lead and its scientific implications.

This week we learn about the various uses of the history that led to the creation of the 90s' greatest 3D craze, Magic Eye. A listener email tells us how lead on the ocean floor can help modern science. Episode Tabs: When Magic Eye Pictures Ruled the World https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/622658/when-magic-eye-pictures-ruled-world Listener Tabs: How a Roman shipwreck could help unlock the Universe’s biggest mysteries https://medium.com/big-science-at-stfc/how-an-ancient-roman-shipwreck-could-be-the-key-to-one-of-the-universes-biggest-mysteries-815b15e6b753 Email your closed tab submissions to:  500opentabs@gmail.com Support us on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs 500 Open Tabs Wiki:  https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki 500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide):  https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7 Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord!  https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to  nebula.tv/500opentabs See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

People in this episode

Hosts: Kaveh Taherian, Hannah Hillam

Topics covered

  • Magic Eye
  • 1990s culture
  • science
  • history
  • listener engagement

Keywords

  • Magic Eye
  • 3D images
  • 1990s
  • science
  • ocean floor

Sponsors

Patreon, Nebula

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Magic Eye

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