Post B2nApCkTYNSYGD7Aqe by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
 (DIR) More posts by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
 (DIR) Post #B2n00tC8yrMnawQR04 by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
       2026-01-29T21:18:13Z
       
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       Here's a carbon arc lamp from 1889 restored and operating after 100 years.Arc lamps are servo emechanisms; current flow through the arc regulates arc gap dynamically. Too much current causes gap to increase, etc.Arc lamps are homeostats; servomechanisms involving self-feedback. I sum up the electric/electronic developments of the entire 20th century in one word: FEEDBACK. It existed before (roman toilets at least) but the 20th turned it into a Principle, and everything electronic since has been developed to involve it, including digital computers.I think the first arc lamp ever was made in Budapest, 40 years before this one.For the record I hate youtube and generally avoid it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq-KSK2fVbU
       
 (DIR) Post #B2n0JW1nL4MxFJSyiu by vga256@mastodon.tomodori.net
       2026-01-29T21:21:23Z
       
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       @tomjennings i never once considered how much effort has went into making quiet lighting devices in the past 100 years. i remember being able to hear nearby incandescents when i was a kid.amazing to hear a lamp that you would have to speak loudly overtop-of in a room.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2n23NjyaE0aomZBTc by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
       2026-01-29T21:41:05Z
       
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       @vga256 Arc lamps do make a lot of noise, and stinky gases too. And lots of UV. I don't think they were used indoors except maybe large venues? And movie projectors, which had chimneys (until recently, probably some still in use).
       
 (DIR) Post #B2n2wQowpgvkIY8qZM by vga256@mastodon.tomodori.net
       2026-01-29T21:50:48Z
       
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       @tomjennings and, in an unbelievable coincidence, also used in filming Blade Runner as i recently found out in a documentary about its production.they used carbon arc lamps when filming the eye-scientist scene. the room was an industrial freezer, had a low ceiling, and absolutely zero venting. the shooting crew got sick from the fumes.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB_eSNvOz6U
       
 (DIR) Post #B2nApCkTYNSYGD7Aqe by tomjennings@tldr.nettime.org
       2026-01-29T23:19:20Z
       
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       @vga256 Wow! That's crazy. The lighting in those scenes was really awful (good).
       
 (DIR) Post #B2nBIHLJYFdyuID2Rs by vga256@mastodon.tomodori.net
       2026-01-29T23:22:16Z
       
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       @tomjennings i imagine it must produce a quality of light not possible with other types of lighting. lighting designers who paint with light still blow my mind. their understanding of the artistic/expressive and technical properties of light are unparalleled.