Mole-Richardson
Encyclopedia
Mole-Richardson, also known as Mole, is a stage lighting instrument
and motion picture lighting manufacturing company based in Hollywood, California. The company was started in 1927 by Sicilain immigrant Peter Mule (changed to Mole) born in Termini Italy in 1891, who first worked for General Electric (GE) in New York.
Mole-Richardson invented the first Fresnel Solar Spot
unit in 1935, adapting the fresnel
lighthouse lens for use in motion picture. During World War II
, Mole-Richardson company concentrated their efforts towards developing searchlight
s for battleships, tanks and artillery units to aid the Allied forces battle in Europe and the Pacific. In 1945 Peter Mole was invited to light the first United Nations
conference held in San Francisco.
Peter Mole died on August 2, 1960 very suddenly, and his son-in-law, Warren Parker, took over company. Mole-Richardson Company is now run by two of Warren Parker's four sons and grandchildren of Peter Mole, Larry Mole Parker and Mike Parker.
Mole-Richardson is considered by many to be the staple of motion picture and television lighting in the movie industry today, setting the standard for tungsten fresnel fixtures. However, they do also manufacture HMI (Mercury, medium-arc, iodine) day-light lighting units. Their lighting is generally recognized by their maroon coloring and "MR" logos.
Stage lighting instrument
Stage lighting instruments are used in stage lighting to illuminate theatrical productions, concerts, and other performances taking place in live performance venues. They are also used to light television studios and sound stages.Many stagecraft terms vary between the United States and the United...
and motion picture lighting manufacturing company based in Hollywood, California. The company was started in 1927 by Sicilain immigrant Peter Mule (changed to Mole) born in Termini Italy in 1891, who first worked for General Electric (GE) in New York.
Mole-Richardson invented the first Fresnel Solar Spot
Fresnel lantern
A Fresnel lantern is a common lantern used in theatre, which employs a Fresnel lens to wash light over an area of the stage. The lens produces a wider, soft-edged beam of light, which is commonly used for back light and top light....
unit in 1935, adapting the fresnel
Fresnel lens
A Fresnel lens is a type of lens originally developed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel for lighthouses.The design allows the construction of lenses of large aperture and short focal length without the mass and volume of material that would be required by a lens of conventional design...
lighthouse lens for use in motion picture. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Mole-Richardson company concentrated their efforts towards developing searchlight
Searchlight
A searchlight is an apparatus that combines a bright light source with some form of curved reflector or other optics to project a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays in a particular direction, usually constructed so that it can be swiveled about.-Military use:The Royal Navy used...
s for battleships, tanks and artillery units to aid the Allied forces battle in Europe and the Pacific. In 1945 Peter Mole was invited to light the first United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
conference held in San Francisco.
Peter Mole died on August 2, 1960 very suddenly, and his son-in-law, Warren Parker, took over company. Mole-Richardson Company is now run by two of Warren Parker's four sons and grandchildren of Peter Mole, Larry Mole Parker and Mike Parker.
Mole-Richardson is considered by many to be the staple of motion picture and television lighting in the movie industry today, setting the standard for tungsten fresnel fixtures. However, they do also manufacture HMI (Mercury, medium-arc, iodine) day-light lighting units. Their lighting is generally recognized by their maroon coloring and "MR" logos.