The LED Revolution

LED technology transformed flow arts from a fire-only discipline into something anyone can practice anywhere, at any time.

Timeline

1996 — Sean von Cleve (future founder of Flowtoys) builds his first light-up staves using 12V incandescent bulbs from Radio Shack
2003 — Flowtoys is founded in San Francisco. The concept of a durable, rechargeable LED prop with a lifetime warranty was revolutionary.
2007 — The "flowlight" arrives: Flowtoys' first manufactured product. Also creates the first rechargeable LED glowstick and the levi-wand.
2011 — NeoFlowArt begins manufacturing pixel LED props. First to introduce image stabilization in LED props.
2018 — Flowtoys launches "connect" technology: wireless synchronization between props.

Flowtoys (Emeryville, California) — the pioneer. Known for lifetime warranty and modular design.
Ignis Pixel — professional-grade programmable pixel poi with 32 pixels (64 LEDs). Used by Cirque du Soleil artists.
NeoFlowArt — largest manufacturer of pixel/LED props since 2011.
EmazingLights — the dominant gloving brand.

Made flow arts accessible to practice at night without fire, vastly lowering the barrier to entry
Created entirely new visual possibilities: persistence-of-vision images, programmable color patterns, text displays mid-spin
Enabled indoor performance without fire risk, fuel, or insurance requirements
Made flow arts festival-friendly for EDM events where open flame is prohibited
Shifted some performers from fire to LED as their primary performance medium