25 Amazing Facts About Colors That You Never Saw Coming

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

Just to clear the air, yes, we are aware that we’ve spelled color without the “u”. For the sake of fairness, we’re extending a nod to all the Commonwealth English-speaking countries out there. You guys are doing a wonderful job, we appreciate your efforts, and we respect your spelling of “colour”. Now that we’ve settled that, were you aware that there exists a whole field of science dedicated to color? It’s called colorimetry, or chromatics. Or simply color science for the average Joe. This domain handles everything from color theory in art to the physics of electromagnetic radiation and the functioning of our eyes. Alright, enough of the technical info. Ready for something fascinating? The average person can discern around one million colors. However…there is a condition that affects some women enabling them to see nearly 100 million colors. That’s correct. They perceive 100 times more color than the average individual. Hence, the next time your spouse debates about the color of your shoes, you know the reason. Another interesting snippet – did you know that night vision tends to be green because our eyes can distinguish more shades of green than any other color? Here are 25 amazing facts about colors that you never anticipated!

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Featured Image: wikipedia

25

The sun is actually white when viewed from space. The Earth's atmosphere makes it appear to be yellow.

The sun is actually white when viewed from space. The Earth's atmosphere makes it appear to be yellow.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
24

Impossible colors, also called forbidden colors, are colors that are too complex for the human eye

Impossible colors, also called forbidden colors, are colors that are too complex for the human eyeSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
23

Most people dream in color, but for those of you who grew up watching a monochrome television (probably not many), you most likely also dream in black and white.

Most people dream in color, but for those of you who grew up watching a monochrome television (probably not many), you most likely also dream in black and white.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
22

Horses have the largest eyes of any land animal and they have excellent night vision. Unfortunately, their vision is only dichromatic, meaning they can only see two colors.

Horses have the largest eyes of any land animal and they have excellent night vision. Unfortunately their vision is only dichromatic, meaning they can only see two colors.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
21

Colorblind people tend to have better night vision

Colorblind people tend to have better night visionSource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
20

Germany's Formula One color is silver because when one of their cars was overweight in 1934, they scraped off the paint. The car went on to win the race and the color stuck

Germany's Formula One color is silver because when one of their cars was overweight in 1934, they scraped off the paint. The car went on to win the race and the color stuckSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
19

Night vision goggles use green phosphor because the human eye can see more shades of green than any other color

Night vision goggles use green phosphor because the human eye can see more shades of green than any other colorSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
18

The matador's cape doesn't need to be red because the bull is color blind. It is said that the cape is red in order to hide the blood splatter from the audience (when the bull is finally killed)

The matador's cape doesn't need to be red because the bull is color blind. It is said that the cape is red in order to hide the blood splatter from the audience (when the bull is finally killed)Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
17

Fernando Patolsky, an Israeli chemist, invented a "date rape straw". It changes color when you put it in a drink containing date rape drugs.

Fernando Patolsky, an Israeli chemist, invented a "date rape straw". It changes color when you put it in a drink containing date rape drugs.Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
16

Highlighters tend to be yellow because they don't leave a shadow on the page when they are photocopied.

Highlighters tend to be yellow because they don't leave a shadow on the page when they are photocopied.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
15

The US Army uses colorblind people to "see" camouflage. This is because they perceive certain colors in a way that people with normal vision don't.

The US Army uses colorblind people to "see" camouflage. This is because they perceive certain colors in a way that people with normal vision don't.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
14

Studies have shown that redheads can require up to 20% more anesthesia during surgery

Studies have shown that redheads can require up to 20% more anesthesia during surgerySource: medscape.com, Image: wikipedia
13

During the Middle Ages, dyers of fabric would either dye red or blue. Both groups had their own guilds and forbid their members from dying with the opposite color. So purple clothing was rare.

During the Middle Ages, dyers of fabric would either dye red or blue. Both groups had their own guilds and forbid their members from dying with the opposite color. So purple clothing was rare.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
12

Cheddar cheese is only orange because it is dyed. In reality, its color changes according to the season and the cow's diet. Farmers started dying it to avoid these color fluctuations.

Cheddar cheese is only orange because it is dyed. In reality, its color changes according to the season and the cow's diet. Farmers started dying it to avoid these color fluctuations.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
11

During the 1980s, scientists showed that an enzyme in green coffee beans could turn any blood type into type O, the universal donor.

During the 1980s, scientists showed that an enzyme in green coffee beans could turn any blood type into type O, the universal donor.Source: newscientist.com, Image: wikipedia
10

Fire hydrant colors can be used to determine their water flow and pressure

Fire hydrant colors can be used to determine their water flow and pressureSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
9

In 1962, Crayola's "flesh" color was renamed "peach"

In 1962, Crayola's "flesh" color was renamed "peach"Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
8

The colored dots found on soda cans near the nutrition facts represent the colors used in the can design. This allows the company to troubleshoot their printers if one of the dots is faded or missing.

The colored dots found on soda cans near the nutrition facts represent the colors used in the can design. This allows the company to troubleshoot their printers if one of the dots is faded or missing.Source: wikipedia, Image: pexels
7

When Emerson Moser (Crayola's most senior crayon molder) was retiring he revealed that he was actually color blind.

When Emerson Moser (Crayola's most senior crayon molder) was retiring he revealed that he was actually color blind.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
6

Fake blood on the set of Sweeney Todd was orange colored in order to render correctly on the desaturated film

Fake blood on the set of Sweeney Todd was orange colored in order to render correctly on the desaturated filmSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
5

Since the 1890s, pencils have been painted yellow. This is because the graphite came from China and in China yellow was the color of royalty. Therefore, pencil manufacturers began coloring their pencils yellow to show they contained the high quality Chinese graphite. And the color stuck.

Since the 1890s, pencils have been painted yellow. This is because the graphite came from China and in China yellow was the color of royalty. Therefore, pencil manufacturers began coloring their pencils yellow to show they contained the high quality Chinese graphite. And the color stuck.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
4

Some women are tetra chromatic. This means they can perceive roughly 100 times the number of colors that a normal human can perceive.

Some women are tetrachromatic. This means they can perceive roughly 100 times the number of colors that a normal human can perceive.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
3

When UPS started out in Germany in 1976, locals got upset because the brown shirts were very reminiscent of the Nazi party. UPS changed the shirts to green.

When UPS started out in Germany in 1976, locals got upset because the brown shirts were very reminiscent of the Nazi party. UPS changed the shirts to green.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
2

The following is an excerpt from a trade magazine in 1918 (when pink was still considered a boy color and blue was a girl color) - "The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl."

The following is an excerpt from a trade magazine in 1918 (when pink was still considered a boy color and blue was a girl color) - "The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl."Source: smithsonianmag.com
1

The color orange was named after the fruit. Before its name change, it was known in English as "geoluhread"

The color orange was named after the fruit. Before its name change, it was known in English as "geoluhread"Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia