Disco Ball Reflection

The mechanism

The famous disco ball effect has a fairly simple explanation. The disco ball in itself is a spherical shaped ball usually made of some adhesive compatible material. The whole of the sphere is covered with rows and rows of seemingly equal shaped and equal sized mirrors. These mirrors are glued to the ball and that is why the ball needs to be adhesive compatible. Even though the mirrors are of similar shape and size, there are bound to be spaces in between the mirrors due to the spherical nature of the ball. Therefore it is imperative that paint similar to the nature of the mirror is used to form the base of the ball so that it does not break the light reflections.
Now as beams of light are shown on the ball, the mirror reflect the light and each mirror is pointing to a different direction due to the spherical nature of the ball, light is reflected in different directions. Different colours of light would mean that the reflected lights are bound to ‘clash’ with other and this is how they create the dazzling effect. As the disco ball starts to rotate, light is reflected in 360 creating a bewildering scene where you see different coloured lights mixing with each other making shades you have never seen before.

The effect

This is why the disco ball effect had gotten to be so famous in the 70s. The disco ball reflection used to create an unearthly experience which seemed to attract the party people and the druggies alike into the disco clubs. The soothing music along with the captivating lights could create nirvana.

Today the disco ball reflection mechanism is still being enjoyed by different segments in society. Small floor rotating disco balls have become very famous among small children. It is fairly common to see young children jumping and running in circles around the disco ball reflection as green, blue, red, orange lights continue to "come out" of the disco ball.

Nostalgia

Though disco balls have become out dated and have been made seemingly archaic by the new laser lights, there are still some people who enjoy the disco ball effect. The ever present ball, above everyone, shimmering light in all directions reminds people of the endless dance nights they used to have. There are still the old fashioned clubs which have such disco balls like the ABC in Glascow, Scotland has the largest disco ball in the world.

Still surviving

Though the disco balls have become obsolete, there continues to be other uses made out of them. Disco ball accessories have become quite common. They can found in all prices and almost in every category. The more notable uses of disco balls can be found in disco ball earrings which come in all colours and prices. Then there are disco ball necklaces. Disco ball lamps can be kept in kitchens and dining rooms. There are even disco ball alarm clocks available in the market. These are to name a few.
In conclusion, the disco ball and its seemingly endless reflections have found a way to remain in our life one way or the other.