In 1933, a teenager’s recovery from a basement experiment led to Day-Glo colors that transformed signs, safety gear, and art

Some of the inventions that change people's lives the most are those that are born outside of academic environments, think tanks, or laboratories operated by businesses. Some even begin as home experiments in garages, workshops, and basements. This is what happened in Berkeley, California, back in the 1930s. Two brothers tried out some interesting materials with a portable black light for long periods.

Their objective was neither to establish a lucrative company nor to revolutionize visual communication through color. All they wanted to do was satisfy their curiosity regarding a fascinating phenomenon. A home project developed into one of the most distinctive color innovations of the past century and received international recognition under the name of Day-Glo.

Recovery gave way to an unusual pastime


Robert "Bob" Switzer recovered from an accident in 1933. As the American Chemical Society reported, the brothers used Bob's recovery time to engage in scientific experimentation. They utilized an ultraviolet light that belonged to the family's pharmacy and tested different fluorescent materials in their basement lab.

The discovery made by the Switzer brothers proved that some fluorescent compounds can be added to other materials, according to the American Chemical Society, which made Day-Glo pigments a National Historic Chemical Landmark. Initially, the experiments had an exploratory character, although the resulting bright colors under ultraviolet radiation did not make people realize the importance of the findings.

The effect started appearing on stages

Further work resulted in another invention when the brothers managed to create a new type of paint using fluorescent dyes and shellac. According to the article published in the University of California Berkeley magazine, the new paint allowed applying the material in demonstrations and shows.

Joe Switzer quickly realized the potential of the paint and introduced it into performances and magic shows. Using the black light, Joe Switzer made costumes and objects glow brightly. Thus, the paint became more than just a scientific product.

The true innovation occurred in daylight

However, the key development did not occur until later on. The brothers understood that the fluorescent pigment does not have to rely solely on ultraviolet lamps to create a visually stunning impact. They invented what later became known as daylight fluorescent pigment.

According to ACS, this class of pigments absorbs UV energy present in natural sunlight and then emits that energy in visible light form. Thus, the colors produced by these pigments look much brighter than those produced using regular pigments. Simply put, it seems like the pigments add an extra bit of brightness. Hence, the innovation shifted from a theater prop to a useful commercial application.

Why Day-Glo colors were hard to overlook

What set the Day-Glo apart was the scientific principle behind its work. Regular pigments simply reflect visible light. On the contrary, fluorescent pigments do not only reflect but also absorb energy in the form of invisible ultraviolet radiation. Some of that energy gets converted into visible light. Hence, the color looks brighter.

The daylight fluorescent pigment can be perceived as being brighter than a conventional one because it emits visible light along with reflecting it. This additional brightness made it suitable for use in places where visibility was required. Signs were easily noticeable. Displays attracted the viewer faster. Safety equipment gained additional effectiveness.

From wartime usage to popular culture

The development occurred at a time when bright and visible materials were becoming more desirable than ever before. According to Smithsonian Libraries & Archives, daylight fluorescent pigments had their uses in the World War II period. It made them perfect materials in cases where immediate visibility of an object was important. Post-war years saw their application in advertisements, packing, and consumer goods.

In the 1960s, fluorescent colors became a trademark feature of pop art, fashionable clothing, poster art, and even the youth movement. From chemistry to popular culture, fluorescent pigments managed to change society significantly. According to the Smithsonian, these pigments played a significant role in defining design trends in the last decades of the 20th century.

A family-based experiment that turned into a global brand

With time, the idea became the basis for a brand. As reported by the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History of the Case Western Reserve University, Switzer Brothers, Inc. came into being in 1946, before turning into Day-Glo Color Corp. Indeed, the story became even more interesting since it showed how a family-based experiment could turn into an international corporation. The two men did not set out to produce a unique product; rather, they started studying an unusual phenomenon.

However, the outcome surpassed all expectations. Switzer brothers made a discovery that had a huge impact on advertisement, safety gear, design, and popular culture. Over 90 years after the beginning of the story, Day-Glo is still one of the greatest inventions that emerged in the most inconspicuous places.