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Candle
The first type of stage lighting was the candle. Candles are made out of wax with a string in the middle that burns slowly to give off light. http://www3.northern.edu/wild/LiteDes/ldhist.htm -
Oil lamp
Next, oil lamps were used as a more efficient way to produce light. They were made of a piece of glass with oil in the bottom and a burning section in the middle. As you turn a knob on the side, more oil is released and the flame gets brighter. http://www3.northern.edu/wild/LiteDes/ldhist.htm -
Gas lamps
Gas lamps were next. Similar to oil lamps, they were made of a housing unit, although metal this time, with gas in the bottom that moved up and burned with the turn of a knob. http://www3.northern.edu/wild/LiteDes/ldhist.htm -
Electric lights
Lots of theatres switched to electric lights because they were a lot safer. Electric lights were closed glass bulbs with a filament on the inside that burned and gave off heat. http://www3.northern.edu/wild/LiteDes/ldhist.htm -
Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight (ERS)
Today, the most widely used light is the Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight, or ERS for short. Because of its easy maneuverability and wide range of use, it is the most popular among stage lighting today.
http://www3.northern.edu/wild/LiteDes/ldhist.htm
