LED art

An LED Throwie is a light emitting diode ( LED) which can be fastened together with a coin cell and a magnet is temporarily attached to objects. The components are fixed with epoxy or tape.

LED throwies are mainly used for street or as an effect means for events and trade shows. In the street art scene Throwies thrown at metal objects such as statues, bridges, buildings or public transport. At trade fairs and exhibitions, they also serve as a convenient illumination means and eye-catching.

Technology

An LED throwie can be created very easily by a button cell with a standard LED is connected. Attention must be paid to the correct polarity. However, it can be tried out safely, as the breakdown voltage of an LED is typically on the button cell voltage. There are single lithium coin cell having a voltage of about 3 volts because the operating voltages of standard LEDs are usually 2-3 volts. From simple alkaline manganese button cells with 1.5 V here two copies must be used in series. In the normally usual series resistor may be omitted in such LED throwies, the internal resistance of the button cell is limited here the power is sufficient. The circuit configuration is achieved by simply gluing of button cells, and the LEDs by means of adhesive tape, soldering is not necessary. The magnet is also fixed with adhesive film. Thus, the duration of glowing Throwie is finished and ready to throw.

History

LED throwies were developed in 2006 by James Powderly and Evan Roth of the Graffiti Research Lab. The Throwies were like all the developments of the OpenLab as an open source project released under the public domain, though hardly can be assumed schutzwürdigem style.

The first, organized by the Graffiti Research Lab LED throwie campaign took place in New York City. GRL activists distributed LED throwies at passers-by and revealed to them how to throw it on the metal sculpture Alamo at Astor Place in Manhattan.

An action in Germany was at the Berlin Metro Station performed Kottbusser Tor.

Modifications and further development

  • Stick anywhere Throwies - using adhesive instead of magnets.
  • Blinking Throwies - LED throwies with automatic flashing LEDs.
  • Floaties - LED throwies without magnet in a buoyant transparent capsule.
  • Selbstdimmende Throwies - Automatic deactivation by a photo resistor to increase the life.
  • Flyies - LED throwies driven by a helium balloon without magnet.
  • LED Ice Spheres - A luminous ball of ice. A Throwie and frozen water in a balloon.
  • Rainbow Throwies - LED throwies with an autonomous color- changing LED.
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