MAKE: Blog: The Looty eye-gazing box

The Looty eye-gazing box

Here's an intriguing device on Instructables- The Looty was created by artist Jim Woodring to allow the users left eye to stare directly at the right and vice-versa.

Jim made and sold these devices for a time, but eventually discontinued the item. In an interview over at Hour.ca he spoke regarding the projects demise -
"It's a bad invention... I made a few to sell and then stopped because the effect is unnatural and probably harmful."
All the same, it's an interesting example of invention for self-exploration. If you do decide to build the Looty, do be mindful of any possible strain on the eyeballs - they're hard to replace!

Looty on Instructables -Link

Jim Woodring Interview -Link

Related:
Brain%20Machine_eyes.jpg
The Brain Machine -Link

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Tare on February 5, 2008 at 8:36 AM

If you sit in a dark room and shine a flashlight at your eyes from below, you can see your own retina.

Posted by: Jim Woodring on February 6, 2008 at 10:02 AM

I'm semi-glad to see the Looty getting a new lease on life. I haven't and won't try out your version(I've inflicted enough damage on my system through the use of the damn things already, thank you), though I suspect it gives one a split-eye effect, like seeing yourself in reverse reflection in two adjacent bathroom mirrors. I've posted a diagram for the original configuration at jimwoodring.blogspot.com, along with a bad scan of an old ad for the prototype, which contained an unnecessary artifical nose-bridge.

Hail and farewell,

J.W.

Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now

Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out... Welcome to the Make Blog!

Features and more @ MAKE!

Stop by the Maker Shed store and check out THE place for open source hardware, Arduino & Arduino accessories, electronic kits, science kits, smart stuff for kids, back issues of MAKE & CRAFT, box sets, books, robots, kits from Japan and more.

Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
Add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.
Add MAKE on Twitter.
Add MAKE on FriendFeed & the MAKE room.

Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!

Makezine authors!

Suggest a Site!

Phillip Torrone
Senior Editor
Tel: 707-827-7311
Twitter / AIM

Gareth Branwyn
Jonah Brucker-Cohen
Collin Cunningham
Marc de Vinck
Kip Kay
Luke Iseman
Patti Schiendelman
Becky Stern
Mike Dixon
Peter Horvath(intern)

Current Podcast

The Best of Maker Faire Austin 2008 Check out all the fun and excitement at this year's Maker Faire in Austin, Texas. People from all over the world came to experience this amazing event. Take a look at some of the highlights and make plans to... More...

Get the Make blog sent via email

Enter your email to receive the Make blog each day:

WOW! Thanks to everyone involved with Maker Faire Bay Area and Maker Faire Austin in 2008: attendees, makers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and crew...it was an AMAZING year! Over 1,000 Makers and 87,000+ attendees total! Be sure to check out the photos @ Flickr, and our Maker Faire posts for all the action! Check back for dates for 2009 soon!