Growing up, big searchlights were popular at openings for stores, and shopping centers and car dealership events. I could sit on our porch and watch them.
But I can't remeber the last time I saw any being used, certainly not in the last 20 years.
Was it just a fad, rising costs, or regulation that stoppe these interesting lights from happening?
美しい犬
June 30, 2018, 10:07 PM
cas
Yup I was thinking the same thing just the other night.
(Of course I was out it the yard with a big ass spot light doing my own at the time).
_____________________________________________________ Sliced bread, the greatest thing since the 1911.
June 30, 2018, 10:29 PM
truckola
They were Military surplus, have a generator and carbon arc. Lots of labor.
Saw them all the time when I was a kid. Not so much nowadays.
.....never marry a woman who is mean to your waitress.
July 01, 2018, 12:34 AM
MitchbSC
Can't see them due to light pollution?
They trigger snowflakes into believing there's a zeppelin bombing about to happen?
+1 on truckola's points. Expensive to operate. The equipment is rare or very custom now.
They don't think it be like it is, but it do.
July 01, 2018, 12:35 AM
Gutpile Charlie
Just my two cents, but could it be that searchlights have just outgrown their military usefulness? When I was a kid, immediately after WWII they would have been surplus and plentiful. Latter on, one of the Army Reserve units in my town was part of a search light batallion I would just guess that they are rare now. I can not imagine someone buying a newly manufactured one for commercial use. Just too expensive.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gutpile Charlie, July 14, 2018 01:25 PM
"If you think everything's going to be alright, you don't understand the problem!"- Gutpile Charlie "A man's got to know his limitations" - Harry Callahan
July 01, 2018, 01:08 AM
sigmonkey
Replaced by lasers.
From "Let there be light" to "Bring the Burn".
Ever moving forward.
Ghost Riders in the Sky.
What you don't know, can kill you.
You can run but you only die tired.
Sleep well, we own the night...
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
July 01, 2018, 01:46 AM
ARman
I don't know, last summer there was a big shin dig across the river and they had searchlights.
That said, I have not seen to much of them in reasent years.
I do remember in my youth there being a lot more of them.
Arman
July 01, 2018, 05:30 AM
NK402
quote:
Originally posted by Sunset_Va: Don't know why this thought crossed my mind.
Growing up, big searchlights were popular at openings for stores, and shopping centers and car dealership events. I could sit on our porch and watch them.
But I can't remeber the last time I saw any being used, certainly not in the last 20 years.
Was it just a fad, rising costs, or regulation that stoppe these interesting lights from happening?
I note that we are both from Virginia. When I was small growing up in Richmond, the State Fair would announce its presence with two searchlights illuminating the night sky. It was exciting to see them from my backyard.
July 01, 2018, 08:08 AM
Ronin1069
Most cities in MN have passed ordinances to prohibit them.
___________________________ All it takes...is all you got. ____________________________ For those who have fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
July 01, 2018, 08:43 AM
71 TRUCK
Last time I remember seeing one it was at Disney World. They used to use them at Pleasure Island at Down Town Disney.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State
NRA Life Member
July 01, 2018, 08:57 AM
flashguy
They do emit a particle smoke that may now be prohibited by some municipalities.
flashguy
Texan by choice, not accident of birth
July 01, 2018, 10:04 AM
RAMIUS
Saw some last weekend on the way to the shore.
July 01, 2018, 10:07 AM
JALLEN
There is so much smog in some areas, nobody can see them, and it highlights all the impurities.
Luckily, I have enough willpower to control the driving ambition that rages within me.
When you had the votes, we did things your way. Now, we have the votes and you will be doing things our way. This lesson in political reality from Lyndon B. Johnson
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." - Justice Janice Rogers Brown
July 01, 2018, 10:19 AM
Rawny
I used to see them all the time too, though they were only for pumpkin patches and X'mas tree lots.
July 01, 2018, 10:55 AM
ZSMICHAEL
I remember searchlights very well. I also remember hot air balloon rides. The balloon was always tethered but it still looked cool. Never got to do that, the lines were long and my Dad was not the kind to wait in line.
