These ships wore optical illusions into war.

First World War 'dazzle' paint used bold geometric patterns to make a ship's size, speed and direction harder to judge through a periscope.

Artists turned whole vessels into a problem for the eye.

Warships wore optical illusions into the First World War

USS West Mahomet in dazzle camouflage, viewed toward its bow in 1918

USS West Mahomet in dazzle camouflage, viewed toward its bow in 1918 — U.S. Navy / Naval History and Heritage Command

An original First World War dazzle-paint scheme for HMS Highflyer

An original First World War dazzle-paint scheme for HMS Highflyer — First World War Dazzle Section / Imperial War Museums

A 1922 illustration compares a dazzle-painted ship and a grey ship through a periscope

Warships wore optical illusions into the First World War

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