HISTORY OF LIGHT MACHINES

Many devices such as laptops, smartphones and tables use a bright light with a constant glow. Some are on auto-brightness which helps the ease of eye strain and feeling 'alert' to draw you in and keep you engaged.

Mind machines in the area of relaxation and brainwave entrainment use an array of very bright LEDs contrasted with dull pulses to entrain your brain to relax the eyes and brain by gradually decreasing the brightness to the desired state. For example, to reach sleep or a deeper state of relaxation, the device may start with a brighter light and gradually decrease its brightness and/or pulsating LED flashes to a more relaxed brightness. This can help aid in the production of relaxing alpha brainwaves from a wired alert 'Beta' brain wave state.

One main issue about sleep problems is usually often a result of an overactive mind before going to sleep. With the current use of many smartphones and illuminated bright screens before going to sleep keeps our brain entrained into a wired alert state.

It is natural for us to follow the natural rhythms of light, waking up from sunrise and going to bed after sunset. it is unnatural to be in this technological world. However, to relax with a device with its purpose to relax you is a different story and how can we merge with this current technological world alongside us.

In 1960 - Brion Gysin's Dream Machine - A stroboscopic light machine, a large cylinder tube the width of a record and a few feet tall, with a light suspended in the centre, allowed light to pass through a number of slits cut into the tube. With the viewer in place and this tube placed on top of a record player. Turning at a constant rate in circles with the right amount of slits cut into it. became one of the very first light machines to be experienced in the modern world.

As the cylinder tall tube rotated with a lightbulb inside, light exposure to the 'viewer' sat in front of it with eyes closed, would experience 8-13 flashes per second. Allowing the production of alpha brainwaves to be synchronised and experience a relaxation of flashing visible colours, objects and landscapes within one’s own mind. Although the DreamMachine never became a commercial product, you can still download the blueprints and templates to create your own at home.