ABSTRACT
Looking at debates on lighting and light pollution over the past 100 years in Germany and Berlin in particular, distinct thematic developments and continuities can be detected. Aesthetic issues also triggered public and administrative debates from early on, in particular the design and scope of illuminated advertisements. Moreover, formerly marginal issues such as the negative effects of outdoor lighting on ecosystems or the visibility of the starry sky also gained popularity in the past 10 years. In the 1880s to 1930s, the pros and cons of gas and electric lights were also discussed fiercely, especially within the municipalities of Berlin. With the introduction of high-voltage alternating current and the establishment of long-distance transmission lines, energy production was relocated out of city centres to their outskirts and hinterlands - out of sight from urban dwellers. These examples show that lighting conflicts were not only about factual issues, but also struggles for power, influence, resources and cultural values.
