Have Scientists Discovered a New Color Called ‘Olo’?
A Groundbreaking Discovery
A team of scientists has made a remarkable claim: they’ve uncovered a new color that humans cannot perceive without technological assistance. Named ‘olo,’ this elusive hue can be experienced through a specialized device reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz.
The researchers, hailing from prestigious institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Washington School of Medicine, described this color as akin to teal but distinctly unique.
What Has the Study Found?
In a captivating article published in Science Advances, the researchers detailed their findings. The technique, whimsically dubbed Oz, effectively “tricks” the human eye into witnessing olo.
This name is a nod to the fictional land of Oz, which features prominently in L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Just as the wizard uses tricks and illusions to deceive the inhabitants of Oz, the Oz technique employs optical illusions to perceive a color that exists beyond our natural visual spectrum.
How Do Humans Perceive Color?
Human color perception relies on three types of photoreceptor cells—S cones, M cones, and L cones—located in the retina. Each cone responds to different wavelengths of light:
- S cones detect shorter, blue wavelengths
- M cones sense medium, green wavelengths
- L cones are attuned to longer, red wavelengths
According to Francis Windram, a research associate at Imperial College London, the signals from these cones are processed through a complex matrix of retinal cells before being interpreted by the visual cortex in the brain.
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How Did Scientists Discover the New Color?
Typically, the function of M cones overlaps with S and L cones, making it impossible for light to exclusively stimulate M cones. This sparked curiosity in Professor Ren Ng, who contemplated: What would the color look like if M cones could be stimulated alone?
Join forces with Austin Roorda, Ng utilized the Oz technology—a microscale device that directs fine laser beams at individual photoreceptors. This equipment, designed for retinal studies, began its journey in 2018 under the efforts of doctoral student James Carl Fong at UC Berkeley, eventually leading to the revelation of olo.
Is Olo Really a New Color?
While olo appears groundbreaking, it’s crucial to clarify that this shade has always existed; it merely sits beyond the visible spectrum for humans. Thus, from a scientific perspective, olo isn’t a new color per se, but it does raise intriguing questions about color nomenclature in society.
As Windram aptly put it, “If people assign new names to previously indistinguishable colors due to this technology, perhaps! It all hinges on how you articulate it."
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How Many People Have Seen Olo?
Five individuals have been privileged to witness olo—four men and one woman, all with normal color vision. Notably, three participants, including Roorda and Ng, co-authored the research paper, while the other two were blissfully unaware of the study’s aim before participating.
What Does Olo Look Like?
Those who have seen olo describe it as a deep, saturated teal—an experience unlike any other. Roorda noted, “It was like a profoundly saturated teal… the most vibrant natural color seemed dull in comparison.”
However, the closest visual representation may resemble a teal square, although no traditional display can replicate olo’s true vibrancy.
Could This Technology Help People with Color Blindness?
Berkeley researchers are investigating whether the Oz technology could aid those with color blindness. Success in such ventures would depend heavily on the individual’s specific type of color vision deficiency.
As Windram mentioned, a miniaturized version of Oz could theoretically stimulate the appropriate cones if color blindness stems from reduced sensitivity to certain wavelengths.
How Do We Know How People See Color?
The perception of color integrates three components:
- Physical: Wavelengths of light hitting the eye
- Neurological: Biological processing of these signals
- Sociolinguistic: The naming conventions of colors
Visually, one color might be labeled differently across cultures; who’s to say a shade is simply red versus crimson?
Interestingly, neuroscience researcher Patrick Mineault has created a website to quiz users on their perceptions of color, illustrating the subjective nature of color vision.
Do Animals See Color Differently from Humans?
Absolutely! For instance, humans can perceive three color wavelengths, while the mantis shrimp can distinguish 12 color channels—including ultraviolet and polarized light. Meanwhile, dogs possess only two types of cones, limiting their vision primarily to shades of yellow and blue.
Conclusion: A New Frontier in Color Perception
The emergence of olo not only challenges our understanding of color perception but also invites us to ponder the limitations and wonders of the human visual experience. As technology continues to evolve, who knows what new hues and realms await exploration? Olo may not yet find its place in the Pantone Color System, but its discovery is a testament to the endless possibilities of science.
