PubHawk
Br J Psychol February 1958 PMID 13536303

Impossible objects: a special type of visual illusion.

L S PENROSE, R PENROSE

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Mentions

63
Peak: 9 in Feb 2021
across 6 sources since Apr 2018

Extended reach

3,193,135
potential audience

Total likes

71,961

Video views

2,800,253

Mentions per month

Apr 2018 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter48 posts
  • News5 articles
  • Blogs4 articles
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, discussions are characterized by admiration for the work's long-standing significance, with examples like users sharing images of Penrose triangles and linking related videos, which reflect high interest and active engagement. The tone is enthusiastic and respectful, emphasizing the importance of the visual illusions both historically and in modern contexts.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express appreciation or acknowledgement of the significance of the work by Penrose, with some praising the contributions of Roger and Lionel Penrose, indicating general support for the publication.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high curiosity and fascination with the subject, mentioning visual illusions like the Penrose triangle and referencing related videos and artworks, suggesting strong interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many users reference the paper, discuss visual illusions, and share personal connections or additional media, reflecting active engagement and curiosity.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the enduring influence of Penrose’s work across decades, mentioning its connection to art and psychological experiments, suggesting a modest but meaningful impact on readers and broader culture.

Abstract in brief

  • Impossible objects are a kind of visual illusion that trick the brain into perceiving shapes or images that cannot exist in real physical space.
  • They typically appear to be plausible images at first glance, but upon closer inspection, their impossible nature becomes evident.
  • These illusions are used in psychology and art to explore how the human mind interprets visual information and depth cues.]
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Francis Villatoro
@emulenews · X

@gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a special type of visual ilusión," British Journal of Psychology (1958) https://t.co/uUzLs0Wz7O

Feb 27, 2021 · 25 likes · 8 shares · 45,051 followers View post →
Shengyi Wang
@txyyss · X

彭罗斯回去之后呢，就琢磨出了彭罗斯三角，他爸呢做出了彭罗斯阶梯，做出来之后就发了篇文章：“Impossible Objects: A Special Type of Visual Illusion”，这文章后来被埃舍尔看到了，于是他根据彭罗斯阶梯做出了“Ascending and Descending”，还写了封信给彭罗斯父子，附上了这幅画。 https://t.co/Z0rjZzgNYs

Sep 28, 2021 · 11 likes · 4 shares · 16,473 followers View post →
dℝ∅ℕ∋
@d_r_o_n_e · X

IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION By L.S. PENROSE and R. PENROSE https://t.co/S6S3cE7bef

Jun 6, 2020 · 5 likes · 7 shares · 1,146 followers View post →
Diego Emilio
@_diemilio_ · X

Even though I understand very little of his work, I've always admired Roger Penrose. In fact, my profile pic is an inverted Penrose triangle, which he published (with his dad!) in the British Journal of Psychology. https://t.co/08Gej5DMJ9 https://t.co/1sVUmkMvbV

Oct 6, 2020 · 5 likes · 372 followers View post →
Paul Halpern
@phalpern · X

@Daniel_Brenner Good question. The Lionel and Roger Penrose paper that described the impossible staircase was published in 1958: https://t.co/nLB9So92Zd

Jan 4, 2024 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 32,392 followers View post →
Joy de Muertos
@JoyLewds · X

@slugbox https://t.co/WC58sN5ghx

Jul 17, 2019 · 3 likes · 124,746 followers View post →

All mentions

Alain Marois
@amarois.bsky.social · Bluesky

[Curiosité] via Metanews, 1 court article des Penrose sur les illusions d'optique et objets impossibles => Penrose L. S. et Penrose R., « Impossible objects: a special type of visual illusion », Br. J. of Psy., 1958, vol. 49, nᵒ 1, pp. 31‑33, doi.org/10.1111/j.20... #cogsci #psycho #visualthinking

Sep 10, 2025 View post →
Captain Beau | Business Development & Operations
@CaptnMarcusBeau · X

RT @phalpern: @Daniel_Brenner Good question. The Lionel and Roger Penrose paper that described the impossible staircase was published in 1…

Jan 5, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,604 followers View post →
Paul Halpern
@phalpern · X

@Daniel_Brenner Good question. The Lionel and Roger Penrose paper that described the impossible staircase was published in 1958: https://t.co/nLB9So92Zd

Jan 4, 2024 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 32,392 followers View post →
richard fries
@friesrichard · X

IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION https://t.co/IgbxhXz5Lj

Feb 26, 2023 · 455 followers View post →
Bahram Shakerin
@BahramShakerin · X

https://t.co/P9cCIOxBV8

May 16, 2022 · 4,964 followers View post →
Bahram Shakerin
@BahramShakerin · X

Penrose Triangle (it depicts an object which could not possibly exist) https://t.co/P9cCIOxBV8 https://t.co/OgcUfZSng5

May 11, 2022 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,964 followers View post →
單行道
@fo___ol · X

RT @txyyss: 彭罗斯回去之后呢，就琢磨出了彭罗斯三角，他爸呢做出了彭罗斯阶梯，做出来之后就发了篇文章：“Impossible Objects: A Special Type of Visual Illusion”，这文章后来被埃舍尔看到了，于是他根据彭罗斯阶梯做出了“…

Sep 30, 2021 · 4 shares · 67 followers View post →
Isaac Huang | イサコ
@caasih · X

RT @txyyss: 彭罗斯回去之后呢，就琢磨出了彭罗斯三角，他爸呢做出了彭罗斯阶梯，做出来之后就发了篇文章：“Impossible Objects: A Special Type of Visual Illusion”，这文章后来被埃舍尔看到了，于是他根据彭罗斯阶梯做出了“…

Sep 29, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,138 followers View post →
grass777
@grass7772 · X

RT @txyyss: 彭罗斯回去之后呢，就琢磨出了彭罗斯三角，他爸呢做出了彭罗斯阶梯，做出来之后就发了篇文章：“Impossible Objects: A Special Type of Visual Illusion”，这文章后来被埃舍尔看到了，于是他根据彭罗斯阶梯做出了“…

Sep 29, 2021 · 4 shares · 37 followers View post →
Shengyi Wang
@txyyss · X

彭罗斯回去之后呢，就琢磨出了彭罗斯三角，他爸呢做出了彭罗斯阶梯，做出来之后就发了篇文章：“Impossible Objects: A Special Type of Visual Illusion”，这文章后来被埃舍尔看到了，于是他根据彭罗斯阶梯做出了“Ascending and Descending”，还写了封信给彭罗斯父子，附上了这幅画。 https://t.co/Z0rjZzgNYs

Sep 28, 2021 · 11 likes · 4 shares · 16,473 followers View post →
MdeMates
@MatematicasMde · X

RT @emulenews: @gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a…

Feb 28, 2021 · 8 shares · 138 followers View post →
emilio lindosa lucas
@411emilio · X

RT @emulenews: @gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a…

Feb 27, 2021 · 8 shares · 4,856 followers View post →
Javier Fdez Panadero
@javierfpanadero · X

RT @emulenews: @gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a…

Feb 27, 2021 · 8 shares · 26,651 followers View post →
Francisco Reyes IMC
@Franci_Gambo · X

RT @emulenews: @gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a…

Feb 27, 2021 · 8 shares · 1,017 followers View post →
Jesús García
@jesusromero2_7 · X

RT @emulenews: @gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a…

Feb 27, 2021 · 8 shares · 1,429 followers View post →
Coffee Break: Señal y Ruido
@pcoffeebreak · X

RT @emulenews: @gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a…

Feb 27, 2021 · 8 shares · 27,069 followers View post →
gaussianos
@gaussianos · X

RT @emulenews: @gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a…

Feb 27, 2021 · 8 shares · 34,971 followers View post →
De CARA al SOL
@SEMPITERNO200 · X

RT @emulenews: @gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a…

Feb 27, 2021 · 8 shares · 3,214 followers View post →
Francis Villatoro
@emulenews · X

@gaussianos Siempre me molesta, lo siento, que no se mencione a Lionel, padre de Roger. El paper es "Impossible objectos: a special type of visual ilusión," British Journal of Psychology (1958) https://t.co/uUzLs0Wz7O

Feb 27, 2021 · 25 likes · 8 shares · 45,051 followers View post →
Diego Gallego
@dfarkagallego · X

Se le conoce como escalera de Penrose por este trabajo de Roger Penrose y su padre en la British Journal of Psychology https://t.co/8OM3Ka0CDc

Jan 15, 2021 · 1 like · 139 followers View post →
Mike Kueht
@KuehtMike · X

The Penrose Stairs. IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION - PENROSE - 1958 - British Journal of Psychology https://t.co/I8i7Ftctqu

Dec 12, 2020 · 133 followers View post →
teara
@langchen62 · X

RT @asarin: ペンローズ博士へ乾盃！ - 秋山仁｜論座 - 朝日新聞社の言論サイト https://t.co/q67k75RfOW リンクはなかった．がんばりましょう．せっかく誰でも読めるんだから． Penrose & Penrose(1958) IMPOSSIBLE…

Dec 11, 2020 · 2 shares · 88 followers View post →
増田の准教授（学者ではない）
@ProfMasuda · X

RT @asarin: ペンローズ博士へ乾盃！ - 秋山仁｜論座 - 朝日新聞社の言論サイト https://t.co/q67k75RfOW リンクはなかった．がんばりましょう．せっかく誰でも読めるんだから． Penrose & Penrose(1958) IMPOSSIBLE…

Dec 10, 2020 · 2 shares · 5,678 followers View post →
Scott Akenhead
@scottakenhead · X

Nature Briefing: “… kids and parents can inspire each other with art … Roger Penrose, his father Lionel and their ‘impossible objects’ … M. C. Escher.” reference is a 1958 paper, 62 years ago, still behind a paywall: $42 PDF. Please justify. https://t.co/kpia4YqtHZ

Dec 10, 2020 · 182 followers View post →
sevda bulduk
@makinedekiruh · X

Penrose, L.S. and Penrose, R. (1958) Impossible Objects: A Special Type of Visual Illusion. British Journal of Psychology, 49, 31-33. https://t.co/RXAc5nMTXz https://t.co/QnCsBeDWtJ

Nov 27, 2020 · 1,305 followers View post →
Gunda Upendar Rao
@gundaupendarrao · X

RT @d_r_o_n_e: IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION By L.S. PENROSE and R. PENROSE https://t.co/S6S3cE7bef

Nov 26, 2020 · 7 shares · 990 followers View post →
けいすけ
@keisuke929 · X

例えば、だまし絵。読んでみると面白い。 https://t.co/66ZVg0RxNj

Oct 17, 2020 · 255 followers View post →
Zak
@parvalicet · X

@GigiEinaudi Il nobel o la scala? Comunque vere entrambe le cose. Per la scala: febbraio 1958 https://t.co/85PdWm6uCL

Oct 6, 2020 · 1 like · 503 followers View post →
Diego Emilio
@_diemilio_ · X

Even though I understand very little of his work, I've always admired Roger Penrose. In fact, my profile pic is an inverted Penrose triangle, which he published (with his dad!) in the British Journal of Psychology. https://t.co/08Gej5DMJ9 https://t.co/1sVUmkMvbV

Oct 6, 2020 · 5 likes · 372 followers View post →
Abhishek Shekhar
@ashek1 · X

RT @Samuel_DavidA: @johncarlosbaez @pickover Indeed 2x Penrose as a joint publication from Lionel Penrose (father) and Roger Penrose (son).…

Aug 9, 2020 · 1 share · 834 followers View post →
.david
@BayesDays · X

@johncarlosbaez @pickover Indeed 2x Penrose as a joint publication from Lionel Penrose (father) and Roger Penrose (son). https://t.co/5D3YeuH9CP

Aug 8, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 715 followers View post →
TECH BOY
@TECHBOY39356651 · X

RT @d_r_o_n_e: IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION By L.S. PENROSE and R. PENROSE https://t.co/S6S3cE7bef

Jun 7, 2020 · 7 shares · 82 followers View post →
rblumel
@rblumel · X

RT @d_r_o_n_e: IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION By L.S. PENROSE and R. PENROSE https://t.co/S6S3cE7bef

Jun 7, 2020 · 7 shares · 931 followers View post →
Dr. Stefan Gruenwald
@sgruenwald · X

RT @d_r_o_n_e: IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION By L.S. PENROSE and R. PENROSE https://t.co/S6S3cE7bef

Jun 7, 2020 · 7 shares · 20,070 followers View post →
Nafthalin
@natfhale · X

RT @d_r_o_n_e: IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION By L.S. PENROSE and R. PENROSE https://t.co/S6S3cE7bef

Jun 6, 2020 · 7 shares · 331 followers View post →
8lake
@intendtogether · X

RT @d_r_o_n_e: IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION By L.S. PENROSE and R. PENROSE https://t.co/S6S3cE7bef

Jun 6, 2020 · 7 shares · 919 followers View post →
dℝ∅ℕ∋
@d_r_o_n_e · X

IMPOSSIBLE OBJECTS: A SPECIAL TYPE OF VISUAL ILLUSION By L.S. PENROSE and R. PENROSE https://t.co/S6S3cE7bef

Jun 6, 2020 · 5 likes · 7 shares · 1,146 followers View post →
Amer Iqbal
@ellipticK3 · X

@anniek_p Impossible Objects by Penrose and Penrose: https://t.co/I7sqwY6HAE

Mar 30, 2020 · 1 like · 974 followers View post →
Nick Lucid
@NickLucid · X

@SaswatSarangi1 Jake from Vsauce3 did a whole video on this kind of thing: https://t.co/c7V9cnO64j

Aug 12, 2019 · 2 likes · 5,049 followers View post →
Joy de Muertos
@JoyLewds · X

@slugbox https://t.co/WC58sN5ghx

Jul 17, 2019 · 3 likes · 124,746 followers View post →
Werner Heisenberg
@el_heisenberg22 · X

RT @ernest_os: @Riemannverse Creo usted puede disfrutar de este video (Imposible objects por Vsauce 3). Hablan del triángulo de Penrose htt…

Jul 15, 2019 · 1 share · 1,150 followers View post →
L. Osuna
@ernest_os · X

@Riemannverse Creo usted puede disfrutar de este video (Imposible objects por Vsauce 3). Hablan del triángulo de Penrose https://t.co/F1J5UofXQ1

Jul 15, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 515 followers View post →
joel osazuwa
@joelosazuwa · X

https://t.co/v7BaX8GrSS #conditioning #illusion #gestalpsychology #sight https://t.co/v7BaX8GrSS

May 5, 2019 · 35 followers View post →
Primaeros
@VoidChelonian · X

https://t.co/IqXntSB7jj https://t.co/HjOrGxW8sz

Apr 28, 2019 · 616 followers View post →
Martín, Uncover MarCN
@mapc · X

https://t.co/8iE7mpr7wF

Mar 17, 2019 · 4,340 followers View post →
EllNikos
@EllNikos · X

Impossible Objects 3d printed (Penrose Triangle ) https://t.co/EbiRIx1oXx

Mar 3, 2019 · 13,898 followers View post →
danielWanimation
@danielWanimatio · X

I added a video to a @YouTube playlist https://t.co/zKpfcPmgiT Impossible Objects

Jan 27, 2019 · 47 followers View post →
Terminus Elixir Invictus
@KoyaLowi · X

Impossible Objects https://t.co/a7mz5UK1RM

Jan 23, 2019 · 22 followers View post →
amithprasad
@amithprasad1999 · X

I liked a @YouTube video https://t.co/uTddrZ8smc Impossible Objects

Jan 6, 2019 · 28 followers View post →