Ron's right.  All we know now is that these things can put an eye out or
disintegrate a tattoo.  I wouldn't mind seeing some hard data myself.

In the interim, I hope to keep them the hell away from our Megargees.

"Don't think, Feeeeel!"

                   Bruce Lee







At 11:06 AM 04/21/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>Visceral response?
>Is there any proof anywhere that a lazer pointer does any damage at
>all?  The light is present for a very short time much like flash
>photography.  I have seen no evidence presented that flash photography or
>a lazer pointer results in any damage.  Museums that do not allow flash
>photography will hang a painting near a window in direct sunlight thinking
>nothing of the damage done. Yet, over time that direct sunlight will
>destroy the painting.   I have seen the results.  The painted hieroglyphs
>on the monuments of Egypt fade in the sun, but remain beautifuly colored
>on the underside of a lintel, in a tomb, or otherwise protected from the
>sunlight.
>Show me the proof, not a gut feeling.
>
>Ron Fellows
>
>Joel Ayala wrote:
>>I second (third) your visceral response -- light bad, dark good.
>>
>>Also, at our museum, we focus on events dating back as far as the "War of
>>Northern Aggression."  We ask kids of all ages to imagine traveling back in
>>time to the days when this area was just U.S. Territory.  In some spaces,
>>we display material culture from a century ago.  If I were on a tour of
>>this historic site and someone whipped-out a friggin light saber, I think
>>I'd be a tad distracted.  The anachronism is a striking here, no?
>>
>>Joel Ayala, Jr./Curatorial Assistant
>>AZ State Library, Archives & Public Records/Museum Division
>>1700 West Washington Street
>>Phoenix AZ 85007
>>Phone: 602.542.4405
>>Fax:  602.542.4690
>>E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
>>
>>At 04:12 PM 04/20/2000 -0400, you wrote:
>> >I agree with your gut reaction.  It is not a good idea, for the reason you
>> >mention.
>> >Ross Weeks Jr.
>> >
>> >----- Original Message -----
>> >From: Cathy Westfeldt <[log in to unmask]>
>> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> >Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 3:54 PM
>> >Subject: Use of Laser Pointers
>> >
>> >
>> > > Dear Listerservers:
>> > > I had an interesting question come my way today - one for which I don't
>> > > have an answer. The Capitol Building here in Salem gives a great many
>> > > tours which includes showing all their wonderful murals. They want to
>> > > start having their tour guides use laser pointers on the murals during
>> > > the tours. My first reaction is this is not a good idea. Light
>> damage is
>> > > cumulative. Anybody out there have experience with this type of
>> > > situation? Thanks.
>> > >
>> > > Cathy Westfeldt, CRM
>> > > Collection Curator
>> > > Hallie Ford Museum of Art
>> > > Willamette University
>> > > 900 State St.
>> > > Salem, OR 97301
>> > > (503)370-6867
>> > > [log in to unmask]
>> > >
>> >
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