The Early Years
500 years ago, witches balls were used to repel the evil of witches. These were traditionally glass spheres which when treated with salt inside, became reflective. These were thought to attract the evil inside and away from the rest of the home. By the 18th century, people used the reflective nature of witches balls to reflect negative spirits away from the home. These were an early model of the mirror ball, used to reflect light and images.
1897
The mirrorball was used as a decoration as early as 1897, an edition of the "Electrical Worker" describes a social evening as:
"the Third Annual Ball held on on January 6, 1897, at Roughaus Hall, Charlestown,
and of the spectacular lighting display, which could be seen for miles around
Boston. The letters N.B.E.W. were done with incandescent lamps of various colors
on wire mesh over the ballroom, highlighted by a carbon arc lamp flashing on a
mirrored ball."
1920s
By the 1920s, the mirrorball became a symbol of the Jazz nightclub which soon progressed into a must-have for any big band dance hall. Indeed, anywhere couples were going to dance became the perfect position to have a mirrorball in the ceiling.
500 years ago, witches balls were used to repel the evil of witches. These were traditionally glass spheres which when treated with salt inside, became reflective. These were thought to attract the evil inside and away from the rest of the home. By the 18th century, people used the reflective nature of witches balls to reflect negative spirits away from the home. These were an early model of the mirror ball, used to reflect light and images.
1897
The mirrorball was used as a decoration as early as 1897, an edition of the "Electrical Worker" describes a social evening as:
"the Third Annual Ball held on on January 6, 1897, at Roughaus Hall, Charlestown,
and of the spectacular lighting display, which could be seen for miles around
Boston. The letters N.B.E.W. were done with incandescent lamps of various colors
on wire mesh over the ballroom, highlighted by a carbon arc lamp flashing on a
mirrored ball."
1920s
By the 1920s, the mirrorball became a symbol of the Jazz nightclub which soon progressed into a must-have for any big band dance hall. Indeed, anywhere couples were going to dance became the perfect position to have a mirrorball in the ceiling.
1940s
Several websites claim that a mirror ball featured in the 1942 move
"Casablanca" although in Rick's Cafe there are Moroccan style lights that give the image of mirrors in some scenes.. A lot of people have commented on
blogs that this is the first mirror ball they can remember. Mirrorballs became a
clear symbol of the Big Bands like Glenn Miller.
"Casablanca" although in Rick's Cafe there are Moroccan style lights that give the image of mirrors in some scenes.. A lot of people have commented on
blogs that this is the first mirror ball they can remember. Mirrorballs became a
clear symbol of the Big Bands like Glenn Miller.
1960s
When disco took over on the 1960s, the first lighting idea to be rejuvenated was the mirrorball, now also known as the disco ball. By 1968 more coloured lighting designs began to take over, including lighting that was controlled electronically and that could change in time to the music.
When disco took over on the 1960s, the first lighting idea to be rejuvenated was the mirrorball, now also known as the disco ball. By 1968 more coloured lighting designs began to take over, including lighting that was controlled electronically and that could change in time to the music.