I’m starting a project that I think is going to be a lot of fun! I volunteered to make some props for the 2006 summer performance of “The Private Life of Butterflies” . My friend Tommy needed butterflies that would light up. We were both thinking about using EL wire since we’ve seen similar things at Burning Man.
Electroluminescent (EL) wire or glow wire has been described as flexible neon. It’s similar to coax cable in construction. A phosphor covered center wire is wrapped by very fine corona wires. Put an AC voltage across the center and corona wires and the phosphor will glow bluish-white. The plastic insulation of the EL wire is tinted — giving the wire color.
Stripping the wire without breaking the corona wires is a challenge. I’ll end up with plenty of practice after I assemble 16 butterflies plus a handful of prototypes along the way.
The prototype shown above was a great starting point. It was great fodder for additional brainstorming. The next prototype will have the same color for the upper and lower wings, but the tips of the antenna will contrast the body color.
I’ll post additional photos as this project progresses.