A War-Torn Sea and a Dazzling Idea
In October 1917, King George V observed a strange model ship painted in clashing stripes and colors. It wasn’t hidden—it was meant to confuse. The King, a former naval officer, tried to judge its course through a periscope. He guessed “south by west.” The correct answer, according to artist and naval officer Norman Wilkinson, was “east-southeast.” That optical deception marked the birth of “Dazzle camouflage.”
Camouflage by Confusion
Wilkinson’s idea emerged during World War I, as German U-boats decimated British merchant shipping. Unlike traditional camouflage, dazzle didn’t conceal a ship; it distorted its size, shape, and heading. Gun crews on submarines had mere seconds to estimate a target’s course before firing. A small miscalculation could result in a missed torpedo.
Mass Production of Dazzle
By mid-1918, over 4,000 British ships had been painted in dazzle. Each design was tested using miniature models and tailored for the specific vessel. In the U.S., a similar department was formed after a demonstration impressed Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Roosevelt.
More than a War Tactic
Though dazzle’s effectiveness remains debated, its visibility boosted morale and influenced art, fashion, and design. By 2016, millions had seen modern ships painted in dazzle patterns to commemorate its striking role in the First World War.
In October 1917, King George V tested a model ship painted in jarring stripes.
Through a periscope, he guessed its direction as “south by west.” The real heading was “east-southeast.”
The idea, called Dazzle camouflage, was meant to confuse enemy aim, not hide ships…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/ujBhXjYOuH
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) May 15, 2025