by Dan Reynolds
So you want to glow in the dark, eh? You think you can handle slowly emitting energy over a long period of time? I doubt that's a conversation that happens very often but I know Glow-in-the-Dark collectibles are often extremely popular and sought after pieces in most collections. Have you ever stopped to ask why? Why such a seemingly small alteration can make a regular piece so much more interesting? While I can't explain why people are willing to pay almost anything to get their hands on these eye-popping pieces, I can explain several reasons why they are so cool.
Let me start by saying I'm a huge fan of things that glow in the dark. There's something about it that takes me back to my childhood. Maybe you were like me and your first glow in the dark expereince were those little plastic stars high atop your bedroom walls. Maybe you grew up in the era of black lights and fluorescent posters. Or maybe, just maybe, your first glow in the dark piece was a toy or collectible of some sort. No matter how it started for you, glow in the dark pieces continue to be some of the most sought after collectibles on the market.
Did you know bologna actually played a big part in the discovery of glow in the dark products? Stones just outside of Bologna, Italy started the first scientific study of photoluminescence.
Phosphorus was first isolated in 1669 by German physician Hennig Brand. Brand was an alchemist who was attempting to change metals into gold when he isolated phosphorus. All photoluminescence glow in the dark products contain phosphor.
Now I know you're all experts on phosphorescence so explaining how the glow happens may not be necessary, but I'm going to do it anyway. I find the science behind making things glow in the dark fascinating because it's not as complicated as one might think.
"In simple terms, phosphorescence is a process in which energy absorbed by a substance is released relatively slowly in the form of light. This is in some cases the mechanism used for "glow-in-the-dark" materials which are "charged" by exposure to light. Unlike the relatively swift reactions in a common fluorescent tube, phosphorescent materials used for these materials absorb the energy and "store" it for a longer time as the processes required to re-emit the light occur less often."
Didn't I tell you the science was fascinating? ;-) No matter what era your experience with glow in the dark started in I think we can all agree it's pretty cool and we are excited each time we see a new glowing collectible! Some of my favorite toy company's producing glow in the dark figures right now are funko, Dark Horse, and Gentle Giant. So get out there and get your hands on a phosphorus light emitting glow in the dark collectible from one of our fantastic affiliates.
KEEP IT WARM + VIBRANT: If you are in the market for some new GITD figures try our friendly affiliate resources for in-stock glowies:
Big Bad Toy Store has: SDCC 24" Alien Jumbo Figure (Gentle Giant), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3" (Kid Robot) & Transformers SDCC 2013 Chara Brick 7" (Huckleberry Toys)
Popcultcha has: Storm/X-Men (Funko), Hellboy 5" Mini Quee (Dark Horse) & Seth/Bad Taste Bears (Oddco Ltd)
Toy Wars has: SDCC 6" Stay-Puft (Funko), X-Files Conspiracy Variant Comic Book (IDW) & SDCC Exclusive G.I. Snake Eyes and Storm 3" 2-Pack (Loyal Subjects)
Entertainment Earth has: Land of the Lost 6" Sleestak (Keirs Eye), EE Exclusive Dragonball-Z Goku (Funko) & (for the season) a Friday the 13th Jason Mask/Prop Replica (NECA)