A shiny ball that lets out thousands of glints of light can be seen in most discos. It was invented in the seventies of the twentieth century by fans of the musical direction called "Glam Rock".
How the mirror ball appeared
At the same time, everything "cosmic" came into vogue. Shiny fabrics from which clothes were made, slicked interiors reminiscent of spaceships, unusual hairstyles and accessories. Glam rock performers spearheaded this fashion wave, their costumes often adorned with hundreds of tiny tinsel sequins. During concerts under the spotlights, these clothes reflected thousands of sparks, creating a stunning effect.
Clubs that hosted such concerts were also decorated in the appropriate style with a variety of mirrored toys. The darkness of the hall and unexpected flashes made the audience feel like they were in space.
Over time, small mirrored toys were transformed into mirrored disco balls. They were hung in the center of the hall, directing light cannons with low beam scattering coefficients at the ball. The light in these guns was focused using lenses. The ball itself was spinning with the help of a small electric motor, casting bright light reflections on the walls. Taking into account the general space theme, this effect evoked associations with the rotation of the galaxy.
Glam rock had a direct impact on the formation of the Disco style.
This invention quickly gained popularity with the public. Mirror balls have graced most of the clubs and discos in no time. They fully corresponded to the era of the seventies - futuristic, space, dreamy.
One of the founders of glam rock is British singer and musician David Bowie.
Lighting romance
In the Soviet Union, many high school students made such balls from globes and kaleidoscope parts. Now a disco ball can be bought anywhere for little money, if, of course, there is a desire to recreate the unique light atmosphere of the seventies at home or in a club. Disco balls do not carry any payload, they are ineffective as the main source of lighting. It's just a way to diversify the surrounding space and cheer yourself and your guests.
To buy a disco ball, you first need to decide on the power of the light source or a light cannon, and only then choose the ball itself. For small spaces, halogen lamps can be used as a light source. The diameter of the main light spot from the light source should be equal to the diameter of the mirror ball. This allows you to get the perfect amount of glare. You can work on matching the diameters by changing the distance between the ball and the light gun. It should be borne in mind, however, that the source is best placed almost close to the ball. To create a more impressive effect, you can place several mirror balls in the room.
