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Rotating Disco Ball
A brief history
Whenever the term rotating disco ball comes to mind, everyone is typically reminded of the 70s.There is an automatic association between the two. You are reminded of the shimmering lights dappling everyone in the room, the soothing music. However the truth is that the rotating disco ball concept goes way back in history. Disco balls were extremely popular in the 20s, meaning thereby that the disco ball concept is at least 50 years older than the disco era. One of the early appearances of the disco ball was in a nightclub scene in Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Großstadt, a German silent film from 1927.
The current status
Today the rotating disco ball has been forgotten and more technically advanced equipment such as stroboscopes and lasers are being used in night clubs and parties. There was a time when ever kid and every party wanted a disco ball but the currently technology has overshadowed the disco ball as it can provide more dazzling lights at a much lower cost.
How it works
The rotating disco ball is basically a spherical ball with innumerable mirrors of approximately the same shape and size, glued to it. There is a rotating motor inserted in it. As light falls on it, the small pieces of mirrors reflect the light in all directions. Usually the ball is placed above the party and as the lights continue to be reflected in all directions, it creates the effect of light being showered on everyone beneath.
Can disco balls still be used today?
The rotating disco ball may not be as popular today as it once were but it is still used in some nightclubs and you can’t help but feel nostalgia when enter one of these clubs (and the disco ball is once again growing more popular). The prime exanple of these clubs is the club ABC in Glascow, Scotland which has the world’s largest disco ball. There are still people who are enchanted by the old classical touch. You are bound to see an occasional prom night, birthday party or even wedding where people are using the disco balls to get that classic mood going once again.
Rotating disco ball
The rotating disco can create the illusion of making the whole room spin. When lit by a light beam, the rotating disco ball will reflect the light in every direction and the whole room will be filled seemingly little pieces of light. A very interesting variation of the rotating disco ball is the horizontal disco ball. I choose to call it horizontal because instead of being affixed to the ceiling, this rotating disco ball is put on the floor. This is a very popular verison of the rotating disco ball and can be seen in many concerts.
