HISTORY OF FIREFLY
MAGIC®
The story about how Firefly Magic® Firefly Lights
were invented has been highlighted in several publications,
and here is the story.
Unique Patented
Technology
Sigma Two, a specialty electronics company, began research
on a species of beetle called Lampyridae, also known
as Fireflies or Lightning Bugs. The objective was to
develop a method to accurately recreate the random and
unique flash patterns of fireflies. This development
process included
acquiring information from some of the World’s
leading university researchers on fireflies.
For the uninitiated, fireflies use their flash patterns
to communicate with a potential mate for reproduction.
With over 200 firefly or lightning bug species in the
United States, and 2,000 in the World, the variety of
flash rates and colors was amazing.
Sigma Two’s efforts culminated with the invention
of a method for accurately emulating the visible electromagnetic
spectrum emissions of member species of Arthropoda: Insecta:
Coleoptera: Lampyridae by convergence of a programmable
software program, a data memory, a data processor, a
clock frequency timer, and visible light emitting device
or devices. Subsequently, the United States Patent and
Trademark office issued Patent number 7,212,932 to Stephen
Taylor the inventor, and Managing Partner of Sigma Two
Group LLC.
In addition, Patent number D580,074 has also been issued
to Stephen Taylor for the unique design of the 'Firefly
LED' used in Firefly Magic 'Fireflies'.
Product Development
Having developed the technology to accurately mimic
Mother Nature’s real fireflies, the next challenge
was designing products that could use the advanced technology
for a variety of commercial and residential applications
and consumers.
The first ‘electronic fireflies’ were manufactured
in California and sold exclusively from Sigma Two’s
Firefly Magic® Website. As popularity increased,
a number of home improvement channels featured the product,
including HGTV, Fine Living, DIY Network, Animal Planet,
and the National Geographic Channel on their program
Science of Summer.
Growth
Sales to commercial venues including zoos, nature museums,
hotels, casinos, restaurants, and even stage and movie
productions increased dramatically. At the same time,
consumer purchases on the Firefly Magic® Website
for backyard ‘Fireflies’ also continued to
increase, as well as requests from retailers and landscapers
who
wanted to carry the product.
However, with limited manufacturing capacity in Southern
California, as well as high production costs, traditional
retail channel distribution was not possible.
The choice for Sigma Two Industries was to either continue
with limited production or expand
capacity. The decision was to increase capacity.
Expansion into
Retail Market
2008 marks the introduction of the newly designed Solar
Powered Firefly Magic® Firefly Lights, Models FMS-14
and FMS-07 designed exclusively for the retail market.
Using the newest and most reliable laminated solar panels,
along with high tech microprocessors and custom developed
Light Emitting Diodes, the new, high
quality Solar Powered Firefly Magic® Firefly Lights are
a truly unique entertainment lighting product for backyards,
gardens, and even indoors. |
