Limelight

The Drummondische light, also called lime light, was a 1826 presented light source in which an oxyhydrogen flame is directed at a piece of limestone, this brings to intense lights. The English term still in use today limelight (of English limestone, " limestone " ) for the spotlight goes back to this historic light source.

Construction

The oxyhydrogen flame brings the Kalkstück to white heat without melting it. The strong light emission is based on the principle of thermal radiation. The Kalkstück is movably mounted and is updated regularly. Guiding was done either by hand or by an automatic mechanical device.

This light source has been relatively difficult to handle. The hydrogen gas had complex and costly to be prepared, and constantly was a risk of detonating gas explosion. The Kalkstück also had to be regularly tracked or renewed, as it burns slowly.

History

Named the limelight after its inventor, Sir Thomas Drummond (1797-1840), although it dates back to a demonstration by Michael Faraday. Drummond attended this demonstration, at which the effect was presented. Then Drummond developed the eponymous apparatus.

Due to the blinding light, the limelight was used as beacons in lighthouses, but also in theater lighting ( especially when the spotlight ) and in early cinematograph and gas microscopes.

Because of the disadvantages of the lime light was replaced in the late 19th century by the carbon arc lamp.