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.

Many scientists took Chandross' work and refined the process further. Unfortunately for Chandross, the patent for Chemical Light Device was registered by Richard Taylor Van Zandt in the US Patents office.

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.

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).

There are many uses of glow sticks and some of them are listed below:

-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.

-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.

These sticks were a rage in the 1980s. However, they are equally popular today among ordinary people. In order to get the best out of the stick, it is advisable to buy one that lasts. Cheap glow sticks fizzle out rather fast. Better quality stick will last for hours. A good quality glow stick 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: Glowsticks