Fairy lights: Difference between revisions
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improved text and added an early link to 'christmas lights' |
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In the [[United Kingdom]] a string of electrically powered |
In the [[United Kingdom]], [[Christmas lights]] is the common name given to a string of electrically powered [[incandescent lamp]]'s usually used for decoration and for special effect. They have been known by this name since their first use in stage production of the [[Gilbert and Sullivan]] operetta [[Iolanthe]] on the 25th November 1882. The [[Savoy Theatre]] of [[London]] asked the famous British physicist [[Lord Kelvin]] to add miniature lighting to the costumes of some of the cast. The electric star lights which the principal fairies wore on top of their heads aroused much excitement. The incandescent star lights, made by the [[Swan United Electric Lamp Company]], were chosen because [[Sir Joseph Swan]]'s lamps had been recently fitted to illuminate the theatre. These miniature carbon filament lamps were worked intermittently by a small battery carried on the shoulder and hidden by the fairies' long flowing hair. The term 'fairy lights' for decorating a [[Christmas tree]] has been in common usage in the [[UK]] ever since. |
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Revision as of 22:42, 3 August 2010
In the United Kingdom, Christmas lights is the common name given to a string of electrically powered incandescent lamp's usually used for decoration and for special effect. They have been known by this name since their first use in stage production of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Iolanthe on the 25th November 1882. The Savoy Theatre of London asked the famous British physicist Lord Kelvin to add miniature lighting to the costumes of some of the cast. The electric star lights which the principal fairies wore on top of their heads aroused much excitement. The incandescent star lights, made by the Swan United Electric Lamp Company, were chosen because Sir Joseph Swan's lamps had been recently fitted to illuminate the theatre. These miniature carbon filament lamps were worked intermittently by a small battery carried on the shoulder and hidden by the fairies' long flowing hair. The term 'fairy lights' for decorating a Christmas tree has been in common usage in the UK ever since.