The New York herald., 1922-03-26
LIGHTING Is TAUGHT
In PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Better Illuminated Homes,
Schools and Workshops
Are Aimed At.
BAD EFFECTS OF GLARE
Increase in Use of Eyeglasses
Laid to Faulty Fixtures
and Arrangements.
BAD EFFECTS OF GLARE

illumination is being recognized as SO
vital an element in living needs that
New York city is teaching the science
Of artificial lighting in the Murray Hill
and the Brooklyn evening trade schools.
Illuminating as a profession is of re-
cent development. having grown out of
a gathering of a small group of men
who met in this city in 1906 with the
purpose Of establishing artificial light
ing on a more scientific basis than had
Heretofore been formulated. The out
come was the Society of Illuminating
Engineers, which has been instrumental
in developing the science TO its present
standards. Frederick ]. Mcguire, who
was one OF the men in this group. is
now instructor for the Board of Edu-
cation.
illuminating engineers" Mr.. Me
Guire said, ARE convinced that lighting
plays an astonishingly important part in
the physiological, psychfcal and aesthetic
phases of everyday life.
Value OF Correct Lighting.
"The physiological Importance Of cor
rect lighting is fundamental among
these phases. Light. primarily, must
deal with conservation of human vision.
II Is furnished man to afford him proper
facilities for observing things through
the medium of the eye. Therefore it is
essential that people who essay to for
mulate plans Of artificial lighting should
understand, among other things. the con-
structon and the opera ton of the eye
in its delicate relations to physical
scundness.
up to about eight years ago there
was great difficulty experienced in pro-
ducing illumination of sufficient inten-
slty and of proper diffusive scope to
meet these physical needs. The intro
duction of the present high candle power
lamp has eliminated this difficulty: light
Intensity is now easily obtained on an
economical basis.
'fBut while these mediums OF lighting
efficiency have brought their blessings
they have, nevertheless, been accom-
panied by a positive menace to the eye
sight OF our people in what is termed
glare This has been defined in vari-
Gus ways: the real definition being "a
condition of intense brightness of light
sources. or illuminated surfaces. where
by ocular discomfort or interference
with the vision results
''In the first case, intense brightness
Of light sources. glare occurs because
placed within the range of vision. But
in the second case. Illuminated surface
the danger IS more frequent and wide
spread in everyday life for the reason
that il is less observed IT may come
from such sources as highly polished
paper tops OF desks and tables. metals,
brilliant painted surfaces and so on.
Dangers of Glare Numerous.
1T is the opinion of many eye
specialists and Illuminating engineers
that the large increase in the use Of
Eyeglasses in the last ten years may
he attributed in large measure TO faulty
Illumination. which brings about this
serious defect-glare.
1T is a well known fact too. that such
faulty illumination Is productive not
only OF eye strain and impaired vision
but OF mental fatigue superinducins
drowsincss and sometimes nervous eX-
haustion."
II is because of the conviction that
most improper Illumination installations
are due to ignorance Of the fundamental
principles OF the science that the Board
of Education has undertaken instruc-
tion. which it is hoped will produce re-
suits in better lighted homes, schools and
Industrial buildings.
1T is doubtful IL there Is any mate
rial phase of our surroundings which
exercises more influence over mental and
moral Compartments than good or bad
lighting said Mr. Mcclure,
II is said the demand for trained men
qualified 10 install lighting equipment
with real understanding OF human
needs is Increasing ranidly