The Winding String Dimmer light is so named because it uses the process of winding and unwinding a spool of string to control the strength of a light source.

When you slide the control towards "brighter", the spool of string engages with a low speed motor contained underneath the device, and unwinds the string wrapped around the bulb.

When you slide the control towards "dimmer", the bulb engages with the motor and winds string from the spool up the shaft of the bulb, concealing more of the light.

The use of coloured string results in the emission of a variety of tinted lights.

It's easier to understand if you view the simple illustration in the link:
-- xenzag, Nov 25 2021

String Driven Dimmer https://sodabred.tu...dimmer-light-its-an
[xenzag, Nov 25 2021]

Which color light goes best with charcoal?
-- RayfordSteele, Nov 25 2021


Doesn't make much sense for a lightbulb which can have an electrical dimmer, but would absolutely work for a candle in a jar. A dimmer for a candle with that mechanism would be kind of cool.
-- doctorremulac3, Nov 25 2021


//Doesn't make much sense for a lightbulb// compliment.
-- xenzag, Nov 25 2021


To save having to rotate the bulb (not that it's difficult), have the spool on an arm which rotates around the bulb, with a simple cam mechanism to control the height for smooth wrapping.
-- neutrinos_shadow, Nov 25 2021


Creates a rotating shadow if you do that. Believe me; I recorded several versions of achieving a mechanical dimmer control for a light bulb before settling on this one.
-- xenzag, Nov 25 2021


True enough.
-- neutrinos_shadow, Nov 25 2021


//charcoal//

Do you not have LEDs yet, [Rayford]?
-- pertinax, Nov 25 2021


//Doesn't make much sense for a lightbulb// compliment.//

Okay, well done then. Sometimes I forget about art being a thing.
-- doctorremulac3, Nov 25 2021


Not art. Halfbaked idea :-) Art version would feature a room full of these, all operating randomly.
-- xenzag, Nov 25 2021


I do have LED's. Even ones on dimmers. But nothing about the idea mentions them.
-- RayfordSteele, Nov 26 2021


//Art version would feature a room full of these, all operating randomly.//

Might be kind of relaxing to watch.

The single one, the room full might be kind of stressful.
-- doctorremulac3, Nov 26 2021


I kept seeing "Winding String Dinner", and thought this was about someone playing the harp while you eat or something.
-- blissmiss, Nov 28 2021


//Creates a rotating shadow if you do that.//

Not if the arm/spool is mounted on an annular bearing above the bulb, with just the final string guide at the correct height.
-- MechE, Nov 29 2021


An orbiting spool also requires a much larger footprint than an oblong box. I had also considered an expanding and contracting latticed sleave that enclosed a similarly shaped light bulb to the one depicted.
-- xenzag, Nov 29 2021


//expanding and contracting latticed sleave//
See, now THAT'S more like it. Hoberman-sphere-esque...
-- neutrinos_shadow, Nov 29 2021



random, halfbakery