searchlight history

SEARCHLIGHT HISTORY The first 60 inch Searchlight was made by General Electric in 1893 The high intensity arc searchlight was developed in 1918 by the American inventor, Elmer A Sperry (1860–1930). It became the standard equipment of the main military forces of the world, and also was widely used commercially. Early searchlights were used to illuminate some large iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. The searchlights we use were manufactured in the early 1940's by the General Electric and Sperry Gyroscope company for the U.S. Military as Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Units. Some of the early wars that searchlights were used in included: THE ANGLO-BOER WAR (1899-1902) In South Africa during the early nineteenth century, primitive searchlights were used to protect the sorting floors of diamond mines at night. During the Anglo-Boer War, these lights were used for: • Defence of towns that were under attack. • Signalling and Communication Devices. • Sweeping beams of light across the countryside from armoured trains. THE FIRST WORLD WAR (1914-1918) The value of the searchlight in anti-aircraft defence was discovered when airships and aircraft were first used for night bombing raids over large towns.

THE SECOND WORLD WAR (1939-1945) In the early part of the war, the British devised a defensive system whereby the target was simultaneously illuminated by at least three searchlights. As it moved on, a new searchlight lit up, and the one left behind was doused. The target was continually illuminated and could then be destroyed, either by anti-aircraft fire from the ground or by a fighter in the sky. During the Second World War, anti-aircraft searchlights were used for: • Detection and illumination of enemy aircraft. • Enabling day-fighters to be used in the night sky. • Forcing enemy bombers into higher altitudes. • Blinding and confusing the crew of the enemy aircraft. • Acting as beacons for the landing of damaged aircraft. •• Enabling the destruction of ‘flying bombs’ in mid-air. Other uses for the searchlights included: • Extensive use of coastal defence. • Use by patrolling aircraft and ships at sea. • Illumination of the battlefield for night attacks. • Fitted to tanks to blind the opposing land forces. • Signalling other units and allied forces.

After the war, the searchlights were used for victory parades and ever since they have been associated with celebrations and special events. Searchlights were used by Hollywood movie studios to announce film premiers and grand openings in a glamorous and festive manner.