It seemed like an idea that was almost beyond the limits of imagination. A joke, something you thought was only possible in magic books: making yourself completely invisible. Nevertheless, Tristan Thompson he turned this dream into reality. With his innovative Invisibility Shield, backed by hundreds of backers on Kickstarter, we are entering a new era of camouflage technology. What are the secrets behind this invention? Let's take a look, starting from "The Origins" as in the prequels, the good ones.
Discovery and innovation
The history of this shield begins two years ago, when the British inventor Tristan Thompson, distinct from the Cleveland Cavaliers player of the same name, introduced the world to its first version of the Invisibility Shield. This project quickly captured the imagination of thousands of “small donors,” raising more than half a million euros on Kickstarter. We talked about it here. Today it is presented in a renewed, and even more surprising, version a new crowdfunding campaign.
The principle behind the Invisibility Shield it's all in all simple. That is, so to speak. Using a series of precision lenses, the shield “rejects away from the observer” the light reflected by those behind it. These lenses manipulate the light so that the light reflected from the subject becomes diffused, while the light coming from the background is refracted directly towards the observer. I wasn't exactly perfect in the explanation, but the result speaks for itself. From the observer's point of view, the background is "spread" over the area occupied by the subject. In fact, by putting yourself behind this screen you become invisible.
Becoming invisible with accessible technology
Despite the complexity of my explanation, this technology is already more accessible. The Invisibility Shield is available in different sizes, now reaching a size of 180cm by 120cm, with costs ranging from 350 euros to 850€. Thompson's invention opens up a world of possibilities. From the ubiquitous military (where camouflage is key) to the entertainment industry, you're only limited by your imagination. I can't wait for them to make one that's just bigger and more solid, and I'll have a killer booth in the garden. My practical needs and jokes aside: what fascinates me about this shield that makes you invisible is its ability to challenge our perception of reality and the possible.
In an age where technological progress seems to be accelerating at unprecedented rates, projects like this remind me that the future, with all its wonders and challenges, can hide behind virtually every detail.
