Buzz
As we continue to merge with technology, holograms are making their way into our daily lives in ways that are truly remarkable. These cutting-edge projections are bringing teleportation to life, conjuring ghost ships to haunt rivers, and creating the most unforgettable sports events ever. Yet, holograms aren't just about thrilling visuals. They’re also tackling the circus industry's challenges, enabling Martian geologists to work in the field, and allowing younger generations to communicate with Holocaust survivors.
8. A Giant Phantom Ship
In 2019, the Halloween season brought a spooky surprise. For weeks, crowds gathered at the Benjamin Franklin Bridge to witness a haunting apparition. Docked at Race Street Pier was a ghost ship. While it wasn't a real haunted vessel, the illusion was convincing enough to draw people in.
The ship's massive size was unforgettable. At over 27.5 meters (90 feet) in length, the 18th-century vessel illuminated the night. The hologram was projected in such a way that it appeared to float above the Delaware River. Biangle Studio, the creative team behind the illusion, also adjusted the hologram's appearance, encouraging visitors to return throughout the month as the ghost ship drifted around the pier.
The ship was showcased as part of an art exhibition, aptly named “The Ghost Ship installation.” There was no cost to explore the eerie vessel, and visitors could unwind in a pop-up beer garden, offering comfort for any nervous guests. History enthusiasts could also enjoy audio recordings from artists and historians sharing fascinating insights about the Delaware River's past.
7. A Genuine Mars Walk
Thanks to a collaboration between NASA and Microsoft, civilians now have the opportunity to walk across Mars. No need to board a shuttle or don a spacesuit—fans of the Red Planet can roam freely as if they were on Earth. Although, they are still technically on Earth, the Martian landscape is as authentic as it gets.
The holographic experience, named Destination: Mars, debuted in 2016 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Touted as a “mixed reality” journey, the creators blended virtual reality with the physical world, offering visitors a convincing illusion of being on Mars. Unlike artificial environments, this experience was rooted in reality, using imagery captured by the Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in 2012. Guests strolled across real Martian plains and ridges. To enhance the experience, a holographic Buzz Aldrin serves as the guide.
This exhibit not only provides the public with a captivating way to experience Martian terrain, but it also has scientific significance. Researchers use this technology to study the geology of Mars in an intuitive and immersive manner, allowing exo-geologists to conduct fieldwork in a safe, virtual environment.
6. Hawking Made a Live Appearance on a Different Continent
In 2015, the world-renowned physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking made history once more. He appeared on stage at the Sydney Opera House as a live hologram. While Hawking remained physically present at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, his holographic likeness was projected in real-time to deliver his lecture in Australia.
The audience at the Sydney Opera House had the rare experience of meeting their idol face-to-face, albeit through technology. They listened as Hawking reflected on his life, how his illness nearly overcame him but ultimately gave him the strength and determination to pursue his dreams. He also discussed the power of technology to unite humanity, and even addressed the departure of Zayn Malik from One Direction, reassuring fans with the thought that there must be a dimension where the band stayed together or where Zayn found happiness with a hopeful fan.
The evening proved to be a success, thanks to the collaboration of multiple institutions and companies. Working together with the Sydney Opera House, experts from the University of New South Wales, Cisco, and DVEtelepresence Holographic Live Stage made it possible to beam Hawking’s hologram to Australia. This was a groundbreaking moment for both Hawking, who had never experienced such telepresence, and the Sydney Opera House, which had never hosted a live holographic guest before.
On stage in the Concert Hall, the holographic Hawking was joined by his daughter, Lucy, who was present in person, and physicist Paul Davies. The event ended with Hawking’s trademark humor. Quoting Spock from Star Trek, he told the audience to ‘live long and prosper’ before disappearing with a final ‘Now beam me up.’
5. Cancel Culture and the Decline of Circus Animals
In the past, the circus was a staple of family entertainment. But with the rise of video games, movies, and various other forms of entertainment, the circus struggled to maintain its appeal. Perhaps the modern aversion to clowns played a role in this decline, though we may never know for certain. The final blow to the circus came when animal rights activists entered the scene.
Animal rights groups, like PETA, have been relentless in their campaigns to shut down circuses. They accused circus owners and zoos of mistreating animals, and their vocal protests resulted in the banning of animal acts in over a hundred cities, counties, and states. In a desperate attempt to adapt, some circuses phased out these acts, but it wasn't enough to save them. Even well-known names like Ringling Bros. eventually folded.
In 2018, Circus Roncalli in Germany came up with an ingenious solution. They managed to showcase the animals they desired, without anyone raising an objection. In fact, the audience was captivated. Using eleven projectors, Roncalli created a fully holographic menagerie. Life-sized elephants performed tricks, vanishing in thin air; ghostly horses galloped in circles around the ring; and a massive goldfish swam through the air. This showcased how holograms could revolutionize circus acts, offering infinite possibilities without the need for real animals, ensuring both spectacle and ethical practices. With this innovative technology, the traditional circus found a way to thrive once again.
4. Controversial Tours Featuring Deceased Stars
Prince vehemently opposed the concept. In fact, he made his friends promise to stop anyone from creating a holographic version of him after his death. To Prince, these digital replicas were 'demonic.' He got his way, but that didn’t prevent holographic companies from resurrecting Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston.
Although their holographic tours never took place due to opposition from their families, other deceased stars did return to the stage. Tupac Shakur, who was shot and killed in 1996, performed at the 2012 Coachella festival in California. Michael Jackson, despite passing away, moonwalked again in 2014 at the Billboard Music Awards. Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly even reunited for a 2019 tour.
The concerts were a lively fusion of pre-recorded voices from the artists and live performances by backup singers and dancers. The advantages included the ability for stars to perform at multiple venues simultaneously, never needing rest or demanding payment. For organizers, this presented a profitable opportunity. However, there are those who see this as morbid and disrespectful. While hologram companies require permission from the artist’s estate, critics argue that the individual never consented to becoming a virtual avatar.
3. Conversations with Holocaust Survivors
In 2017, a poignant tribute to Holocaust victims was unveiled to the public. At the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, visitors can now engage in conversations with 13 Holocaust survivors. Most of them were children when Hitler’s regime struck, and nearly all of them lost their families or faced unimaginable horrors in extermination camps. Their stories are both heartbreaking and compelling.
The survivors aren't physically present. Instead, audiences are introduced to their holographic counterparts. Even more astonishingly, in a world first, visitors can engage with these holograms, ask questions, and receive real-time responses.
The project was initiated after the construction of a special center known as Take A Stand. The building’s creation and the development of the holograms cost $5 million. Each survivor was interviewed, answering 2,000 questions while being filmed by 100 cameras in 360-degree videos. This resulted in the interactive holograms, which appeared on stage to interact with the audience and share a firsthand account of the Holocaust.
While participating in the project, the survivors admitted that reliving their painful memories was difficult, but they recognized the importance of the work. They didn’t want their suffering to fade after their passing, reduced to just another page in history. As long as future generations can interact with the holograms, they can directly tell them the depths of human cruelty and remind the living that positive change is possible. This is not an empty gesture. After conversing with the holograms, visitors are provided with a thorough presentation and toolkit to inspire making the world a better place.
2. A Flaming Lion
In 2019, the Argentine football club Estudiantes de La Plata held a special celebration. The club, marking its 114th anniversary, returned to its home ground after nearly 14 years during which no matches could be played due to safety concerns.
To mark the homecoming, Estudiantes treated their fans to a jaw-dropping show. In the news reports that followed, made viral by the stunning video of that night, the show was proclaimed as one of the best ever staged inside a football stadium.
There was no complex performance. Indeed, the show had just one star. The hologram of a male lion. The creature was “made” of fire and stood a few stories high. What made it so stunning was the reality of its movements. The enormous cat prowled along the top of the stadium, jumped down into the middle of the field and took swipes at an invisible opponent. The fiery carnivore even roared at the crowd. The scene was majestic, powerful and ultimately unforgettable.
1. Physical Holograms
Holograms are known for their ethereal quality – emphasis on ethereal. They almost fake their presence, like ghosts. There, but untouchable. That changed in 2015 when Japanese scientists created holograms capable of producing a sensation when coming into contact with human skin. In other words, they could be physically felt.
The 3-D creations are produced by ultra-quick lasers. The beams worry the air with ions until voxels appear, which are specks of plasma light. Then, using additional equipment, a tiny hologram appears. Due to certain technological restrictions, the mirage can only grow to the size of a human nail – or smaller. But at the moment nobody cares because they are too busy playing with the things. The holograms are interactive but that is not its main selling point. Incredibly, the miniatures can be pushed and moved around by hand. The images had a curious texture, which volunteers described as “sandpaper with a static shock.”
The high resolution was achieved through rapid laser pulses, reaching up to 200,000 dots per second. This fast pace not only enhanced interactivity but, more crucially, made the holograms safe to touch. Previous attempts at creating the world’s first physical holograms had ended in burned fingertips. Eventually, scientists figured out their error: the laser pulses were too prolonged. Once they resolved this, the rest of the process fell into place.
In the future, we might see holographic petting zoos or even floating shopping lists to check off items.
