Control over the intensity of the light is probably the modern designer's most important tool. Sophisticated state-of-the-art
lighting control
systems allow the designer an unprecedented freedom, as well as accuracy, in composing delicate lighting and in creating the most complex lighting transitions. However, this was not always the case. Lighting control as we know it only really began to evolve after the invention of electric lighting. The first control devices were crude, cumbersome electrical dimmers which in time were replaced by electronic dimmers and
preset
boards. Today these too have been superceded by digital dimmers and computerized control.
With the rapid development in dimming systems, two distinct areas of control over the
light source
must be discussed: the dimmers, which control the
voltage
input to the lamp, thus influencing the light output from the lamp, and control boards which control the dimmers and enable complex and accurate command over changes in the intensity of the light.
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| From Sabbatini's candle dimming mechanism to today's computerized Vector control board. |
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