Energy dome
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Energy Dome refers to the red terraced headgear first worn by Devo during their Freedom of Choice years. Other names include "power dome" and "flowerpot" (often used in a derogatory sense). Energy Domes have been a regular part of Devo's stage costumes since 1980, worn in their 1982, 1988, and 1990 tours, as well as most performances since 1997. They are made of vacuum formed plastic, in a distinct round, ziggurrat shape.
"We designed them (their hats), Jerry and I. We were influenced both by German Bauhaus movement and geometric fashion, and Aztec temples. We just liked the look. It looked good, and it didn't look like any other bands out there. We weren't interested in wearing groovy hats or groovy clothing. We kind of looked like Lego toys or somthing by the time we got those on our heads, and that was a positive thing."
Though the traditional Energy Dome is red, several variants of the dome have existed. In 1981, Devo wore green Energy Domes while performing "Whip It" on the Solid Gold television show. In a 1984 Diet Coke advertisement, Devo sported white Domes. Silver chrome Domes were worn by Devo in concert in 2002, made by covering a regular Energy Dome in silver tape. In 2004, for Devo's shows on the Nike-sponsored Run Hit Wonder race/concert, blue Domes were used, and sold to fans. In the music video for "Go Monkey Go", Mark Mothersbaugh can be seen wearing a white Dome with a purple bottom tier. An appearance by Devo on the VH1 show TrueSpin featured charcoal gray Domes. Assorted prototype and fan-made domes in a rainbow of colors exist, as well.
Energy Domes sold through Club Devo have come in several forms. The original Club Devo domes were of a smaller size than the stage-worn domes, with raised "DEVO" text on the top and a lip around the edge. This same mold was used again in 2005 for mass-produced Energy Domes sold as Halloween costumes. In 1996, Devo sold new Energy Domes that roughly matched the stage-worn model, though the new stage domes were slightly smaller than the original. The first versions of these Domes were made of white plastic, spray-painted red. These were later replaced with domes made in a solid red plastic in 2004, manufactured by Chaser Shirts.. In 2005, NECA Collectibles began manufacturing Energy domes for Devo out of thin, off-color plastic. These were used until 2008 when a fan began custom manufacturing domes out of thick, red plastic for the band. The new domes revert back to the dimensions of the original stage Energy domes.[1]
[edit] Mythology
According to Gerald Casale on the Devo website:
It was designed according to ancient ziggaurat mound proportions used in votive worship. Like the mounds it collects energy and recirculates it. In this case the Dome collects energy that escapes from the crown of the human head and pushes it back into the Medula Oblongata for increased mental energy. It's very important that you buy a cheap plastic hardhat liner, adjust it to your head size and affix it with duct tape or Super Glue to the inside of the Dome. This allows the Dome to "float" just above the cranium and thus do its job. Unfortunately, sans hard hat liner, the recirculation of energy WILL NOT occur.[2]
In keeping with Devo's love of constructing truths, several origins of the energy domes exist. According to one story, the band took the design for the hats straight out of a Little Lulu comic book. Another involves inspiration from an old art deco lamp from Jerry Casale's collection. Mark Mothersbaugh also liked to refer them as "ziggurat hats" in interviews. Another inspiration for the headgear was lamps in their high school.
[edit] In Popular Culture
Recent appearances of Energy Domes have been in the film Raising Helen, the cartoon Whatever Happened to Robot Jones?, and the episode "Don't Make Me Over" of Family Guy.
Pearl Jam performed "Whip It" in Energy Domes during the last event at the Wachovia Spectrum before closing its doors forever(10/31/09).
[edit] References
Video of the Energy Dome manufacturing process
