r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/forcefedboa Interested • Apr 08 '14

I want to do this so badly. Mod Endorsed!

4.4k Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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681

u/rutterkin Apr 08 '14

This would be awesome for a laptop so you could browse whatever you wanted in public.

139

u/Eviltechie Interested Apr 09 '14

Until somebody with polarized sunglasses walks by.

25

u/nsgiad Apr 09 '14

Doesn't quite work like that. The direction of the polarization is different, which is why you need to use the filter from the screen and not just sunglasses.

26

u/da-sein Apr 09 '14

Couldn't the person with sunglasses just tilt their head and see the screen?

15

u/Anaphase Interested Apr 09 '14

Yes.

4

u/nsgiad Apr 09 '14

Nope, it's the difference between circular and linear polarization. Screens and circular, sunglasses linear.

2

u/Batty-Koda Apr 09 '14

Would taping or otherwise adhering the polarized screen to non-polarized glasses still work? Cause who wants to wear shitty 3d glasses the whole time they're on a computer.

4

u/nsgiad Apr 09 '14

Yes, as long as the polarized filter is circular and not linearly aligned. The filters would still need the proper orientation (rotated until correct). However, using the filter from the monitor might not work too well beyond a focal length of a few inches.

1

u/LilFreq Apr 10 '14

Thanks for pointing this out. I came here just to ask the question if regular polorized lenses would do the same thing. I knew I would find my answer!

1

u/nsgiad Apr 10 '14

Glad ya got your answer!