Did you know?
On the front of many ambulances, the word AMBULANCE is written in mirror writing. Drivers ahead see it the right way round in their rear-view mirrors and can quickly make way.
Artist Leonardo da Vinci wrote most of his personal notes in mirror writing, from right to left. Nobody knows exactly why. He wrote with his left hand, so one idea is that this stopped his hand smudging the wet ink.
The kaleidoscope, a tube with mirrors that makes colourful repeating patterns, was invented by Scottish scientist David Brewster. Its name comes from Greek words meaning 'beautiful', 'form' and 'to look'.
Try this: Find the mirror word
Write these words in capital letters: WOW, BOB, NOON, DEED. Hold a mirror upright beside each word. Which one looks exactly the same in the mirror? Hint: every letter must look the same when flipped, and the word must read the same backwards. Then invent a mirror word of your own!
Show answer
WOW
Go further: Two mirrors, many images
When two mirrors stand at an angle, light bounces back and forth between them and makes several images. Place a coin between two mirrors standing at a right angle (90°), and you will see 3 images of it. Make the angle 60°, and you will see 5! A kaleidoscope uses the same trick: its mirrors, set at an angle, repeat the coloured bits inside into beautiful patterns.