The history of glow sticks is over 40 years old when Edwin Chandross, a chemist at Bell Labs, invented the glow technology which used chemical energy to emit light. This was quite an achievement as at that point either battery or electrical power was used as an energy source for emission of light.

Based on Chandross' work, many scientists took on the task for further refining the process. However, the patent for Chemical Light Device is registered in the US Patent in the name of inventor Richard Taylor Van Zandt.

Glow sticks can be used just once and come in different sizes in translucent plastic tubes. The chemicals contained within are glow stick are isolated in a brittle inner case, which when broken allows the chemicals to combine and produce light through a chemical reaction known as chemoluminescence.

40 years on glow sticks are used all over the globe as a source of light in a wide variety of applications and colors. Last year alone, it is believed the United States Department of Defense used 15 million chemlights (as they are known in the military).

Some of varied uses of glowsticks are:

-Glowsticking is a dance form that has gained widespread popularity. Glow sticks are used for fun and entertainment in dance clubs, concerts and parties especially ravers. If there is a pop culture association with glowsticks, it's with the teen ravers crowd.

-In Hong Kong, one can see the use of glow sticks during the Mid Autumn Festival. In the US and other countries where Halloween is celebrated, you will find all the kids out on Trick or Treat using glow sticks. Here it has a dual purpose -- it warns oncoming vehicles that children are up and about, and parents use the light of the stick to keep sight of their children.

-Besides all this fun, glow sticks have an extremely practical use. They are waterproof and can withstand high pressure. In addition, they are disposable and inexpensive. That is why divers, campers and military use these sticks as a source of light and as markers.

-They are also used in emergency situations. Even when there are explosives, gas or chemical leaks the sticks can be used as they do not use electrical filaments, batteries and do not cause sparks to ignite the dangerous substances.

Glowsticks saw a huge surge in popularity in the 1980s, but even today they are just as popular. In order to get the best bang for your buck, it is advisable to get a stick that lasts. Cheap glow sticks fade out rather quickly. The better the quality the stick, the longer and stronger it will last. Good quality glow sticks will usually last for 12 to 24 hours.

Rene Sandan is an avid user of glowsticks and glowsticking. To hear more, check out his blog: Glowstick