Though glow sticks were long used as a military technology, some claim that the first public glow sticks debuted at a 1971 Grateful Dead show at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut. Chandross was also masterminded a purification process that enhanced fiber optic manufacturing—and this time, he got a patent for it. These sticks were flying all over it seemed and some, I might say as many as ten, ended up on stage. Rauhut at American Cyanamid in Stamford, Connecticut went to work studying the oxalyl chloride reaction, and ultimately designed a phenyl oxalate ester that, when mixed with hydrogen peroxide and a dye, gave off a powerful cold light. Born in Brooklyn in the 1930s, the good doctor first became interested in chemiluminescence while watching an experiment with luminol during his days at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In fact, the biggest benefactor of glow sticks is not dance music fans, but the US Department of Defense. Few people in attendance, including the Grateful Dead themselves, had ever seen a glow stick before, and the spectacle stopped the show in its tracks. Item specificsConditionNew: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging .

Though Chandross is the founding glowfather, you won't find his name on any US patents for the accessory. After creating a test compound that lit up ever so faintly, it only took a few more revised experiments to reveal the active luminescence-producing combination.

We had backpacks and shoulder bags filled up with light sticks—would have to be like 500 to 700 of them in total.

Before the crowd settled down, [Grateful Dead guitarist] Pigpen had one or two standing upright on several amplifiers. Chandross was completely unaware that the fluorescent goop he cooked up in a laboratory in 1962 had become a staple at live music events across the globe. Edwin Chandross—a New Jersey resident, professional chemist, and the unwitting father of the most popular rave accessory in history: the glow stick. Independence Day is a time to gather with friends and family, proudly displaying your patriotism and celebrating the spirit of freedom.

The best parts about these glowing bad boys is that they're disposable and resistant to water and pressure, which not only make them perfect for intoxicated partiers, but also for the military. Knowing this, it's pretty easy to guess how the glow stick made its way from psychedelic rock to psychedelic acid house as the rave scene began to take shape in the late 80s. Of course, glow sticks have plenty of uses outside of the untz untz lifestyle, including as non-electric light sources for underwater divers and visual warnings to motorists on highways.

It’s always good to stand out from the crowd, and what better way to do so that with glow sticks, glow bracelets and glow necklaces? Read moreabout the conditionNew: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging is applicable). As they went into the next tune, Jerry [Garcia] had one in his left hand, and holds it up and says something like, 'I don't know what these are, but they're pretty fucking cool.

But the fact remains that Chandross made a very important contribution to science and chemistry—and parties. They dubbed the mixture Cyalume and it became the trademark name for American Cyanamid's chemical light products. The people around us were now grabbing handfuls of light sticks to throw and watching these green glow things fly around, tossed from area to area of the end zone. We use either DPD or Royal Mail for this service, both of whom are very reliable but please remember that a signature is required before the parcel can be left.

If the item comes direct from a manufacturer, it may be delivered in non-retail packaging, such as a plain or unprinted box or plastic bag. Whether you are having a themed Childrens birthday party, a summer garden party or a milestone birthday party, we have everything you need to make your special occasion a memorable one.