A Lekolite (often abbreviated to Leko) is a type of ellipsoidal reflector spotlight (ERS) used in stage lighting. Introduced in 1933 [1], it was developed by Century lighting which eventually became a part of the Strand Lighting Corporation. The instrument was widely used in theatre and entertainment venues into the 80s and 90s, particularly in the USA.
Century Lighting founders and the instrument's inventors, Joseph Levy and Edward Kook, combined the first two letters of their own last names and called the unit "Leko." Rival lighting company, Kliegl Brothers, released their own Elipsoidial Reflector Spotlight that same year, calling it "Klieglight". It is unclear which company was first to develop the new technology, but the Leko nickname, as well as the Lekolites themselves, became much more widely used. While most spotlights used in theatre today are not technically Lekos, the term has stuck and is commonly used to refer to any ERS. For example, a "Source Four Leko" is a Source Four lighting instrument in the ERS configuration, as opposed to, for instance, the PAR configuration.
References
- A Brief History of Stage Lighting retrieved November 16, 2006.
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