Fibre Optic Tails (Including Light Source)

Fibre Optic tails have always been one of the key components of the sensory room. They are formed by coating a strand of glass, down which the light from a light source flows, with a sheath of plastic. By passing the resulting ‘tail’ through a form of mangle the plastic is pierced and the glass slightly damaged, allowing the light to escape. Hence the name side-glow.

The tails are then clasped together in bundles of 100, 250 or 400 into a holder or cap. The holder is then pressed tightly against the light source.

When the colour of the light source changes, so does the light emitted by the tails.

Since the light changes quite slowly, the spray of tails slowly and progressively changecolour. The effect is truly mesmerising. The tails are also highly tactile, are not hot and do not carry any electricity, so can be safely mouthed (though this is usually not encouraged). The point is that the users can and do get intimately close to the tails, and this is their value. They can be worn like the most amazing jewelry, making the user feel very special. Moreover, we also find that they offer a tremendous opportunity for closeness with other people, since the wearer of the tails will allow others into their space.

You have quite a bit of choice when buying Fibre Optic Tails:

In addition to our traditional white tails, we offer UV ones. These make use of the effect of UV light on acrylic to produce spectacular jewel-like sparkles.

Tails do tend to get a bit tangled. It is quite a therapeutic task to untangle something soentrancing, but if this is a task you’d rather not inflict either on your staff or your clients, you

might like to consider our Jumbo tails. These are much wider and give a fine display with fewer of them. A further choice is our knotted tails which add an interesting tactile element.

In all cases an interactive Sparkle Light Source is included with the tails allowing you to change colours by using our range of wireless controllers.

TFH offers a full multi-sensory environment design and installation service click here to find out more.