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The glowstick was invented over 40 years ago by Edwin Chandross, a chemist at Bell Labs. Glowsticks use chemical energy to product light. At the time it was quite a remarkable achievement because either electrical mains or battery were the energy sources for most light producing devices.

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 are a single use device can come in various different sizes and shapes in translucent plastic tubes. One of the chemicals used in the device are contained within a brittle inner case surrounding by another chemical needed for the reaction. When the brittle case is broken the two chemicals combine and produce light through a chemical reaction known as chemoluminescence.

Today, glow sticks are used the world over as a source of light and millions of people all over the world use these colorful sticks. It is believed that nearly 15 million glow sticks are used by the United States Department of Defense each year.

Some of varied uses of glowsticks are:

-A dance form known as glow sticking is extremely popular in present day. Glow sticks are used for entertainment in parties, concerts, and dance clubs. This is one of the most widely acknowledged uses of glow sticks in pop culture.

-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.

-Glowsticks have 4 properties that make them favorite tools of divers, campers and the military. They are disposable, inexpensive, waterproof and can withstand high pressures.

-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: Glow stick