page_title: X-ray specs
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: X-ray specs / Description
caption_attribution_description: Picture of hand viewed through X-Ray Specs (approximation). I made this image myself.Herostratus 22:20, 22 November 2005 (UTC)
context_page_description: X-ray specs are American novelties, purported to allow users to see through or into solid objects. In reality, the spectacles merely create an optical illusion; no X-rays are involved. The current paper version is sold under the name "X-Ray Spex"; a similar product is sold under the name "X-Ray Gogs".
context_section_description: X-Ray Specs consist of an outsized pair of glasses with plastic frames and white cardboard "lenses" printed with concentric red circles, and emblazoned with the legend "X-RAY VISION".
  The "lenses" consist of two layers of cardboard with a small hole about a quarter-inch (6 millimeters) in diameter punched through both layers. The user views objects through the holes. A feather is embedded between the layers of each lens. The vanes of the feathers are so close together that light is diffracted, causing the user to receive two slightly offset images.  For instance, if viewing a pencil, one would see two offset images of the pencil. Where the images overlap, a darker image is obtained, giving the illusion that one is seeing the graphite embedded within the body of the pencil.  Newer versions utilize manufactured diffraction lenses instead of feathers.
caption: Viewing the "bones" of a hand through X-Ray Specs
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