In a breakthrough that sounds straight out of science fiction, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have created a brand-new color—one that had never been perceived by the human eye until now. Using a laser-based system known as “Oz,” scientists were able to stimulate just one type of cone cell in the eye’s retina, bypassing the usual overlaps that define the colors we see.
The result? A vivid, ultra-saturated blue-green shade the team has dubbed “olo.” Five participants reported seeing the intense color, which they described as more vibrant than any known hue on the visible spectrum.
To confirm their discovery, researchers had participants adjust dials to match “olo” with the closest color they could find, and all landed somewhere near a glowing teal—though less intense than the new shade. This new ability to isolate specific cone responses may also open doors for medical applications, including helping people with red-green color blindness see a broader range of hues.
While “olo” may not be available in paint cans just yet, its discovery hints at the untapped potential of how we perceive color—and how technology could expand that perception. For now, just a few people on Earth have seen it, but the implications could be much more far-reaching.