<strong>The Idea:</strong> Beyond 3D<br> <br> <strong>Stage:</strong> Princess Leia has arrived<br> <br> The hologram of today is a clever version of an old illusion called Pepper's Ghost. In the mid-19th century, the trick was done with thick glass between the audience and image that could make a figure appear to be floating in the air. Current illusionists use highly reflective polymer, invisible to the audience, to create life-size images. "People walk into the room and say, 'now that's a hologram,'" says Ian O'Connell, director of Musion Systems in London. A top application for the technology is using holograms for real-time telepresence for meetings. The capacity already exists for numerous people in different cities to appear on stage on another continent, in real time. Of course, hologram theaters could replace 3D, as well. In Las Vegas this summer, Musion provided the technology for the first U.S. nightclub with holographic entertainment. That way they can go from comedy to mariachi with the push of a button.<br> <br>