Twenty-five Years of Source Four from ETC: Commemorating a Decade and a Half of Innovative Lighting Technology
The Source Four Spotlight Revolutionizes Theatrical Lighting
In 1992, ETC, a global company with over 1,000 employees in 10 countries, introduced the Source Four spotlight at the LDI in Las Vegas [1]. This innovation marked a significant advancement in theatrical lighting technology, providing ETC with a competitive edge in the market.
The Source Four was developed after ETC acquired LMI in 1990, and it quickly became an iconic fixture in the industry. Its design incorporated advanced optics, improving efficiency, brightness, and versatility over previous fixtures [1].
At its core, the Source Four was a high-performance ellipsoidal reflector spotlight. Its optical performance was superior, offering sharper, brighter beams. It was also significantly more energy-efficient than earlier fixtures, making it a more sustainable choice for the industry [1].
The Source Four's modular design allowed for easy lamp changes and lens adjustments, enhancing its versatility. This feature, combined with its energy-saving characteristics and the faceted dichrotic reflector, made it a game-changer in the lighting industry [1].
The Source Four's impact on the industry has been profound, setting new standards for theatrical, television, and event lighting. It remains a staple fixture because it combines precision and flexibility with reliable engineering, influencing subsequent lighting designs and helping ETC establish itself as a leader [1].
The Source Four convinced most professionals due to its brightness, which was significantly greater than the competition at the time. The Source Four lights developed by ETC were 40% brighter than a 1000W FEL and used only 575W of power [1].
The Source Four Zoom offers uncomplicated operation with one hand, allowing technicians to focus and adjust while holding onto a ladder [1]. The new generations of Source Four, such as the Source Four LED and Source Four HID, provide clean, white beams for excellent projection quality [1].
The Source Four LED series has a broad color palette that competes with LED lighting solutions from other manufacturers [1]. The EDLT lens tube option for 19o, 26o, 36o, and 50o field angles offers sharp, clear, and highly contrasting Gobo images for Source Four [1].
Twenty years after the founding of ETC, Foster sold a spotlight to the Metropolitan Opera House [1]. The first spotlight ETC ever built, the Mega Cue, was built with the intention of being used at the Metropolitan Opera House [1].
The Source Four's debut is widely recognized as a milestone that modernized stage lighting, replacing older, less efficient models with a more sophisticated and adaptable solution. ETC's innovation around the Source Four is a key part of their broader 50-year company history, emphasizing continuous advancement in lighting technology [1].
[1] - Source: ETC Company History and Product Development Timeline, accessed on 2022-03-01.
In the realm of business and finance, ETC's introduction of the Source Four spotlight in 1992, following their acquisition of LMI in 1990, significantly impacted the technological landscape of the lighting industry. The Source Four, a high-performance ellipsoidal reflector spotlight with advanced optics, superior optical performance, and energy-saving characteristics, became an iconic fixture and a game-changer, setting new standards in theatrical, television, and event lighting.
