The London Olympics opening ceremony that took place on Friday 27th July was a real humdinger. It had jaw dropping visuals and featured incredible performances liberally sprinkled with the unique brand of British humour. The event sparkled under world class direction and thundered along to an amazing showcase soundtrack featuring the cream of Great British music past and present.
The evening culminated in the grand ignition of the Olympic cauldron. The identity of the torch bearers was the best kept secret of the whole spectacle and what better way to affirm the legacy of the Games than to have oar master supreme, Sir Steve Redgrave, pass the fiery batons to our future champions. Personally I felt a swell of nostalgic pride rise in my chest at the sight of Daley Thompson. My thoughts harked back to a certain Lucozade TV advert from the 80s, the song Phantom of the Opera by Iron Maiden playing in the background - a forgotten gem and a band notable by its absence in the main ceremony.
But who can forget the Industrial Revolution section? Kenneth Branagh's charismatic Brunel, the great rising chimneys, the forging of the rings, a veritable hive of activity, the world was transfixed.
And what fantastic smoke and smog effects. Ever wondered how they produce effects like that at a live event?
Water based fog generators, believe it or not. These artificial smoke systems are extremely powerful and reliable and engineered to an unparalleled level. They have to be, outputting immense amounts of thick, non-toxic smoke that doesn't instantly disappear with the first gust of wind.
How it works: a water and glycerine solution is propelled through a metal block which has been heated to a temperature where the liquid vaporises. When the vapour leaves the block and hits the air, it condenses into a fog or smoke. The fog is very dense and persistent.
As well as providing effects to the entertainment industry, smoke generators can also be used for the following:
to simulate conditions for realistic yet safe fire training, including major disaster practice such as tunnel fires.to carry out leak testing, for example on seals and pipework. Incidentally, fog is used on submarines to both test for leaks and for fire training.to assist with air visualisation and aerodynamics applications.
In addition, this very same precision engineering has been translated over to the security sector. An instant burst of thick fog has proved very beneficial in the fight against crime. Security smoke systems are designed primarily for internal use, rapidly filling rooms and shop areas to repel and deter intruders. In formation they are powerful enough to fill entire warehouses. Utilising the same water based fluid mixture means that even the most delicate of goods such as electronics, fabrics and works of art can be protected, maybe even a collection of gold medals.
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