Al Seckel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Al Seckel
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Seckel in 2009
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| Born |
Alfred Paul Seckel
September 3, 1958 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | 2015 (aged 56) France
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Cornell University, no degree |
| Occupation | Writer, scientific skeptic |
| Known for | Popularizer of optical illusions |
| Spouse(s) |
Laura Mullen
(m. 1980, divorced)Denice D. Lewis
(m. 2004, separated)Alice Klarke
(until 2007) |
| Partner(s) | Isabel Maxwell (2007–2015; his death) |
| Parent(s) |
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Alfred Paul "Al" Seckel (September 3, 1958 – 2015) was an American writer and collector. He was famous for sharing visual and other kinds of illusions. He wrote many books about them. In the 1980s, he was also active in the Freethought movement. He helped start the Southern California Skeptics group.
Early Life
Al Seckel was born on September 3, 1958, in New York City, New York. His father, Paul Bernard Seckel, was a painter from Germany. His mother, Ruth Schonthal, was a pianist and composer, also from Germany. His mother came from Germany during a difficult time.
Seckel grew up in New Rochelle, NY, with his two brothers. He finished high school at New Rochelle High School in 1976. He then went to Cornell University from 1976 to 1978. He left without getting a degree. In 1981, Seckel moved to the Los Angeles area. He lived there for almost 30 years.
Career
Exploring Ideas and Science
In the 1980s, Al Seckel was very active in the Freethought movement. This movement encourages people to think freely and question things. He wrote many articles and pamphlets. He also helped edit two books about the philosopher Bertrand Russell.
In 1983, Seckel and John Edwards created the Darwin fish design. This design was first sold on bumper stickers and T-shirts. Later, a prop maker named Chris Gilman started making plastic car ornaments with the design. This became a very popular item. There was a disagreement about who owned the design, but it was resolved.
In 1984, Seckel started the Southern California Skeptics (SCS). He became a spokesperson for science. He talked about how science relates to things like the paranormal. The SCS group held monthly talks. These talks often happened at the California Institute of Technology. They explained things like extra-sensory perception and firewalking. Seckel was the founder and leader of SCS. An article in New Scientist in 1985 said SCS was growing fast. Later, there were questions about his academic qualifications. The Southern California Skeptics group ended in the late 1980s.
The World of Visual Illusions
Al Seckel was a top collector and popularizer of optical illusions. These are images that trick your eyes and brain.
In 1994, he made a website where people could interact with illusions. He also created special illusion displays for museums. His books about optical illusions include fun picture books for kids. Some of these are Ambiguous Illusions (2005), Action Optical Illusions (2005), and Stereo Optical Illusions (2006).
His book, Masters of Deception: Escher, Dali, and the Artists of Optical Illusion (2004), shows the work of many famous illusion artists. These include Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Salvador Dalí, M. C. Escher, and Rex Whistler. His book The Art of Optical Illusions was named one of the "Top 10 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers" in 2001.
Seckel gave many talks about illusions. He gave an early TED talk in 2004. He also spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2011.
Personal Life
Al Seckel married Laura Mullen in 1980. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1987. He later married Denice D. Lewis in 2004. He also married Alice Klarke, but that union ended in 2007. From 2007 until his death, Seckel was with Isabel Maxwell.
From about 2010 until 2015, Seckel lived in France. He passed away in France in 2015.
