Illuminating facts

Did you know?

The Illuminations started with a display of eight arc lamps back in 1879.
The event was so innovative it even preceded Thomas Edison’s patent of the humble electric light bulb which didn’t arrive until the following year.
In 1879 the Illuminations were described as artificial sunshine and 100,000 people came to see this first great light show.
The equipment weighs more than 711,000 kilograms which is equivalent to 350 Blackpool trams.
Illuminations have been sold to Jeddah.
There are over a million lamps in the display.
In 1939 the lights were erected but never switched on because of the outbreak of war.
In the 1960's electronic controllers were pioneered in the Illuminations. Rope light or "linear light" as it was originally known was also pioneered here.
Most of the display now operates on low voltage eg.24v.
Cable and wiring in the display stretches more than 200 miles.
The Illuminations cost £2.2 million to stage.
The equipment itself is worth about £10 million.
Wind turbines at the Solarium on New South Promenade contributed to powering the llluminations for the first time in 2004.
In 2002 the display included a world’s first in exterior LED technology.
The army of visitors will spend more than £275 million while visiting the resort during the Lights.
30 staff, which include Artists, Electricians, Joiners Mechanics, Painters and Engineers, work all year round to ensure the displays are ready on time
Altogether 65,000 staff hours are used on maintenance, preparation, erection, operation and - finally - dismantling the features, fixtures and fittings.
The Lightworks facility, which replaced the old Rigby rd depot in 2010 is a modern purpose built home for the lights.