Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Dreamachine
The Dreamachine (or Dream Machine) was invented by Beat generation members Brion Gysin and Ian Sommerville in 1959.
The Dreamachine in its basic, original form is made from a cylinder with slits cut in the sides. The cylinder is placed on a record turntable and rotated at 78RPM. A light bulb is suspended in the center of the cylinder and the rotation speed allows the light to come out from the holes at a constant frequency, situated between 8 and 13 pulses per second. This frequency range corresponds to alpha waves, electrical oscillations normally present in the human brain while dreaming.
The Dreamachine is viewed with the eyes closed: the pulsating light stimulates the optical nerve and alters the brain's electrical oscillations. It is claimed that viewing a dream machine allows one to enter the state of lucid dreaming.
Warning: the dreamachine may be dangerous for people with epilepsy or other nervous disorders. It is thought that 1 out of 10,000 adults will experience a seizure while viewing the device; about twice as many children will have a similar ill effect. Also, others report that viewing a Dreamachine can become addictive, and moderation is encouraged when using the device.
See also
External links
- Dreamachine Plans of Brion Gysin
- Dreamachine Plans and music for dreamachine
- Kurt Cobain's death blamed on Dreamachine - L.A. Weekly
- The light fantastic - Boston Globe
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