| The first great revolution in
stage
lighting began in England with the introduction of gas lighting. In 1804, F. A. Winsor, an entrepreneur, took out a patent on a lighting apparatus based on gas. This practical method, which used coal gas for illumination, had been developed by an English engineer, William Murdock, towards the end of the 18th century. Interestingly enough, the first public demonstration which Winsor gave of his new gaslight was held in July 1804 at a theatre - the London Lyceum. At first, gaslight was used only for illumination of the facade and entrances of the theatre.
Although the advantages of this new and powerful
light source
were obvious, it was thirteen years before gas light was adopted on the
stage
of the Lyceum in August 1817.
The Lyceum was not the first theatre to introduce gaslight onto its
stage
- the Olympic Theatre preceded the Lyceum by introducing gaslight in October 1815.
For more infomation.
|
Gas footlights at her Majesty's Theater in London, 1863. |
