| The purpose of this dissertation is to identify, examine and organize patents of stage lighting equipment granted between 1950 and 1975 based upon the conception that stage lighting patents represent an attempt to control light in some way. Inventors through history have tried to control light by mechanical, optical, and most recently by electronic means.;The period that this dissertation is addressing, 1950 to 1975, has definite importance because of the development of lighting instruments that use the new tungsten-halogen lamp, the development of the SCR dimmer and the beginning of computer assisted lighting control. Not all of the innovations during this time were patented therefore patents do not reflect a complete picture of equipment development. Those developments that were patented do reflect the direction of equipment progress.;Identification of some 150 patents was accomplished by searching patents as registered with the United States Patent Office. The Patent Office Classification System provided an organized system for the search. The Cited Reference section of the patent form provided another way to identify patents.;Chapters address control consoles or boards patching systems, dimming systems, and instrument patents. The materials are presented in a chronological manner. Presentation of the period patents is ammended by manufacturers' advertising and catalog materials. These materials were included to give a more complete picture of equipment on the market at the time. An appendix lists all patents presented in the study.;Examination of the patents, manufacture materials, and interviews of various industry participants lead to decisions about period equipment. The importance of the SCR dimmer with related electronics and the fixation upon 'bells and whistles' in control board electronics were of primary importance in drawing conclusions. |
