User:Wschanz

This is just the start of an article. It isn't complete but suggestions and direction are welcome.

catagory theater

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_light "Another meaning of the term comes from the theater. There is a superstition that a ghost might take up residence if an empty theater is ever left completely dark. To prevent this, a single "ghost light" is left burning on-stage when the theater is empty. For that use, see theatrical superstitions."

http://www.dixietheatre.com/history.htm#ghost http://www.newperspectivestheatre.org/GhostLight.html http://lecatr.people.wm.edu/theatrical_superstitions_and_saints.html

It is also said that because the bulb is on a stand that is generally painted black it looks like a ghost is holding it up.

The Ghost Light is required in many cities and by some building and fire safety codes in the same way that Night Lights are. They are there to prevent people from falling in the dark or in the case of the theatrical stage from falling into the Orchestra Pit. Many "Authorities having Juristiction" also require that the fixture has two bulbs reducing the chance that when one burns out there will still probably be light from the other, unless of course they both burn out at the same time which can bring up the two bulbs of different ages mandate.

So, while the drama of the ghost story is very theatrical the reason for the light is safety.

no wikipedia cite for: night light code ahj http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_light check legality of radioactive signs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_sign http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction#Authority_having_jurisdiction http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_safety http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Electrical_Code_%28US%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_code http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_light http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_light