The First Strobe Lights
The first strobe light was invented in 1832 by a Belgian scientist called Joseph Plateau who named his invention a phenakistoscope. By rotating a disc with openings in it over another rotating disc bearing images, Plateau was able to create the illusion of motion. In 1931, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology introduced the innovation of flashing lights to create the same effect and the concept of modern strobe lighting was born. This same principle makes motion pictures possible and is used in numerous other industrial and entertainment applications, including the lifesaving emergency strobe lights that are often found atop police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and other first responder vehicles. Strobe lights are also used in entertainment venues such as night clubs or haunted houses; the stop-motion effect they create can be very effective in these environments. Local companies also sometimes employ strobe lighting in order to attract attention to their products or services.
Strobe lights for emergency vehicles first became commonplace in the 1960s, when traffic congestion on the main thoroughfares made it necessary to improve the visibility of these vehicles in order to provide additional safety for first responders and motorists while allowing emergency workers to reach their destination as quickly as possible. Modern emergency strobe lights typically use xenon flash lamps, which can become very hot with prolonged use and require color filters or gels in order to change the color of the light they emit. A newer technology are the super-bright LED strobe lights; designed to remain cool even after hours of use, these advanced LED lights are available in a number of colors and designs to comply with city and state codes regarding emergency vehicle lighting.
LED strobe lights are a greener choice than standard xenon flash lamps as well; they not only produce less ambient heat, but also require less energy to run. Because the color of an LED strobe light is part of its integral design, LED lights are usually lighter in weight than other types of strobe lights; this reduces fuel costs for the vehicle, making LED lights an economically sound choice as well. For most emergency vehicles, LED strobe lights are superior to the traditional xenon models. Extreme Tactical Dynamics offers a wide range of LED strobe lights perfect for first responder and emergency vehicle use; Extreme Tactical Dynamics works directly with the manufacturers, ensuring the lowest possible prices for first responders and agencies.
