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The power of lume


ammandel

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I've always thought glow in the dark things were cool, luminosity is a great discovery and incredibly complex in its science and unique to behold. The first photoluminous discoveries were made extremely early by the Japanese upto 1000 years ago, who then passed these 'secrets' down through the generations.

It is said that the emporer knew of an elaborate painting of a cow which, during the day 'went to the meadow for eating' and at night would return to the cave walls. This is an early example of the Japanese using phosphorescent pigment to achieve glow in the dark like effects.

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"Ordered to investigate, one scientist learned that, "the cow was painted with special paints made from shells in the sea." This phenomenon is more easily explained today. The Japanese paints must have contained a phosphorescent pigment to achieve"

"In 1908 a luminous paint containing radium was developed and the first luminous watches and clocks were produced in the United States. Similar watches appeared in Switzerland by 1911. In Japan, Seiko started production of watches and clocks in 1895, but didn't produce a luminous watch until 1927 and Seiko's first luminous alarm clock didn't appear until 1931."

Luminosity in watches has long long been a love of mine since I was a young boy, fascinated by its abilities and yet left wanting. I quite simply wished (and still do!) there was an ultimate neverending lume, I look forward to the possibility of a day when lume has far surpassed the abilities of even todays standards.

My father passed when I was young, and left me nothing of great monetary value as he was not a man of such things. However I have inherited a watch that he wears in many of my cherished memories of him, quite ironically.. it appeals to my love of our prior topic somewhat.

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I can tell you, after about a 2 second charge with my UV light (as above), this thing glows TRUELY like a torch. I mean.. I can light my way through corridoors with this watch for hours!

These completely luminous face watches enjoyed quite a large popularity in the 90s and before I believe, some of you may not have even seen one before! I can see that this style of watch hasn't found any root in any of the big watch names though. A shame really.

So what do you think of it? You like the style and design ideas behind it? You think this would take off if say Omega or Breitling made one?

As a sidenote; Now that I think about it. If I was to invent a watch, I'd create a watch like this with a completely luminous face, with a button to activate a small UV LED for about 5 seconds. Imagine that.. :)

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