368 



COLOR AND LIGHTING 



that there is no uniform agreement that best 

 vision occurs when the brightness ratio is 

 one to one for the task and the surrounds. 

 Many consider that three to one is as satis- 

 factory as one to one. In decoration, some 

 contrast is desirable. Lack of variation in 

 brightness in decoration tends to be monoto- 

 nous and uninteresting. Contrast is one of 

 the important tools of the decorator. The 

 blending of high-lights and shadows adds 

 attractiveness to the living space. Kahler 

 and Meacham (13) carried out studies to 

 determine whether maximum ratios of three 

 to one between task and surrounds or be- 

 tween adjoining areas in the visual field are 

 practical from a lighting standpoint or de- 

 sirable from the decorator's viewpoint. 

 Findings indicated that, in general, good 

 decorative schemes can be executed with low 

 brightness ratios; but this is not so with a 

 one to one ratio, because some contrast is 

 necessary to give character and interest to a 

 room. Ratios can be kept less than three 

 to one or only slightly greater. 



Applications to Submarines 



In considering application of data on il- 

 lumination and color to a living or working 

 place, it is necessary to take into account the 

 specific characteristics of each situation. In 

 many ways the submarine is a unique situa- 

 tion. The ceilings tend to be low, much of 

 the ceiling and wall space is occupied by 

 pipes, conduits, dials or other machinery. 

 The deck space is confined largely to narrow 

 passageways and walks. Consequently re- 

 flecting surfaces are at a minimum. Also, 

 it is difficult to find adequate space for light 

 fixtures. In view of these facts, one cannot 

 make ready applications of data worked out 

 for homes, offices, and factories. Special 

 problems must be met. 



In this part of the report, it is not planned 

 to specify in detail the lighting and color of 

 paint in submarines, but the illumination 

 and color requirements will be pointed out. 

 The physical means for providing the light 



and paint must be taken care of by spe- 

 cialists. 



A survey of the lighting and painting in 

 several submarines revealed rather uniformly 

 poor conditions. The most common defi- 

 ciencies were found to be: insufficient light 

 at the places where visual discriminations 

 have to be made; marked brightness con- 

 trasts in adjoining surfaces; lack of adequate 

 uniformity in distribution of illumination; 

 disturbing specular reflections from shiny 

 surfaces such as highly polished valve and 

 switch handles; and glare from excessively 

 bright and poorly located light sources. It 

 is not xmcommon to find a bare 50- to 75- 

 watt incandescent bulb hanging just above 

 the line of vision. The tendency of the men 

 in such a place as the control room to prefer 

 relatively very dim light is undoubtedly 

 largely due to uncomfortable specular reflec- 

 tion (glare) from highly polished metal parts 

 when the illumination is brighter. All these 

 unsatisfactory conditions result in visual dis- 

 comfort which may accentuate nervous 

 tension. Decorations tend to be dark, dingy 

 and psychologically forbidding. The pea- 

 green of newly painted jobs is a repulsive 

 color to most people. Apparently little 

 thought has been devoted to providing a 

 cheerful and pleasing paint job. 



General Considerations 



Ordinary Hght fixtures are not suited in 

 general for installation in submarines be- 

 cause of low ceilings and restricted space 

 (between pipes, etc.). It is necessary, there- 

 fore, to design some new fixtures if adequate 

 lighting is to be achieved. 



One important question that must be 

 raised is whether fluorescent lights should be 

 used. After exposure to direct fluorescent 

 hght, recovery of sensitivity in the night 

 vision apparatus is retarded. After 30 min- 

 utes in the dark, night vision is only half as 

 good as when previously exposed to incan- 

 descent hght. This fact is verj^ important 

 in situations where rapid adaptation to night 

 vision is desirable, i.e., use of periscope at 



