The epitome of cool. 1981 style flashing glasses with LED’s that cycle in counter-rotation.
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This model was made in about 1981. I think you have to be drunk or stoned to get much pleasure out of these and as I don’t do either, they are only brought out on special occasions. It is interesting watching the flashing glasses circulate though a disco from person to person. I haven’t lost them yet. They use a 555 timer driving a 4017 CMOS decade LED driver with each leg driving 4 standard low intensity LEDs (?20 mcd) with each side rotating in opposite directions and cycling through different colours. There is a speed control to go from standstill to continuously on. It takes a lot of interconnections around the frames. If I was to remake them I would use a smaller rechargeable battery and high intensity LEDs. The coloured rings are, of course, the appropriate fashion accessory for the glasses.
Well, just occasionally I wear the flashing glasses. In 2008, 27 years later, at night in this 24 hour charity relay walk. I have resisted the temptation to put in high intensity multicolour modern LEDs but maybe I’ll make a new model sometime.
PS. Flashier than Google Glass.
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Photo Date: 1981