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Uncategorized Friday, February 18th 2011 at 4:35 pm

Escher’s Waterfall Machine Exists, Guy Develops Theory Regarding How it “Works”

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Yesterday, there was a video floating around (seen after the break) of a wooden and “working” recreation of M. C. Escher’s Waterfall. The demonstrator poured water into one side, then the water seemed to flow around the machine forever. We couldn’t quite figure it out, as it didn’t seem to be computer-generated, but defaulted on the broad net of “camera tricks.” Luckily for us, and anyone else stumped by the video, David Goldman developed a theory and made a handy chart to illustrate the idea. The short of it seems to pretty much be camera tricks and editing magic. Make sure to head past the break to check out the original video.

(via Boing Boing)

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  • http://www.humorcomconteudo.com Raphael Eduardo

    I want this!
    Putting a electric generator on the wheel, will be the solution for the energy crisis!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SCXOQPY3FGF67RRQ4R63XFXBSY How Dare Who

    Not sure how he did it, but it wasn’t the way described here. Note the reflection in the standing water on the floor. You can clearly see the “second story” of the device. You can also see its shadow on the concrete behind.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SCXOQPY3FGF67RRQ4R63XFXBSY How Dare Who

    There have been some digital edits done though because you can also see some sort of attachment to the bottom layer that is visible in the reflection but not on the actual model.

  • BBCohen

    I love MC Escher! I’ve been inspired by his works ever since I was a child. Here’s an image I made tonight, inspired by the waterfall illusion: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7168396@N03/5460754084/

  • Amboswell

    Please notice that the water in the near bucket miraculously drops about an inch or two at 0:45.

  • http://www.facebook.com/brian.wirth.12 Brian Wirth

    First off, the shadows on the ground, of the device are faked, clearly. TO give the appearance of a solid one piece object, second, it would appear there is some sort of pressure moving the water, that one pitcher of water is not enough to cover the space provided and keep moving.