Md Jahedul Islam

The addiction to invention is concentrated from human need. As human needs grow then so does the addiction to invention lead to new inventions. This is the way that's why people run along this path of discovery addiction.

After that finally people see the reality of the lighthouse of the dream of discovery. The actual form of this lighthouse is the direction of the progress of modern human civilization. Due to the use of new technologies in the course of history the construction of lighthouse has got a permanent form. Lighthouse (Light in the House) is a historical invention of human civilization. It is also known as Light House. A lighthouse is a type of high minaret, tower or building, from which a special system of light is given to guide sailors at sea.

Lighthouses are used to warn mariners about shallow areas of the ocean. Since ancient times seafaring sailors kept a sharp eye on the stars in the sky. At one stage people thought about building lighthouses and built them. The most famous historic lighthouse in the world is the "Lighthouse of Alexandria". The man who first tried to free sailors from this terrible problem was Henry Winstanley. As a pioneer of lighthouse engineering his name is written in golden letters in the history of lighthouse construction. Winstanley was a ship merchant by profession.

The history of the lighthouse is quite ancient. From the Alexandria lighthouse in Egypt in BC to the most recent modern lighthouses the purpose of lighthouses is the same. To guide mariners in the right direction by casting light in a special arrangement and to simultaneously warn of shallow areas of the sea. The history of lighthouses is intertwined with the story of man's indomitable struggle against the evil forces of nature.

At one time the sea was closely related to the way of life of people. Sea voyages were intended to provide food for survival or to bring economic prosperity to trade and commerce. In ancient times sailors followed certain rules for sailing and trading. As soon as the sun rises the sailors used to run to the sea with big wooden ships or boats. Before sunset the sailors would try to sail the ship or boat to an island or return home. But sometimes they had to surrender to the calamitous violence of nature. Ancient people have been disturbed by nature again and again. Even after sunset then it was very difficult for them to reach an island or return home with their ship or boat.

If the sailors could not return home before sunset due to nature that time their relatives would light a fire and wait on the seashore. The lighthouse was invented from the idea of pointing an arrow by lighting a fire. The "Eddystone Rock" was has been a nightmare for sailors for ages. In that time no ship wanted to pass that way especially at night. Many a time a ship trying to cross the area by forgetting the way or not being able to see the mountain in the tidal water. Then a big disaster happenedIn addition. The lighthouses also provide light signals to ships on areas of the beach where there are more corals and where corals can damage ships. For ages these lighthouses have been helping sailors navigate the seas. Similarly there were a number of lighthouses on land to ensure the safe passage of sailors at sea. In ancient times people used to light bonfires on top of mountains to mark shallow sea beaches and drift beaches.

Later by the wood burning fire in the lighthouses used to warn sailors on distant seas. Different methods were introduced as light sources originally open fire and later lit by candles, Argand hollow lamp lamps and parabolic reflectors. Currently many lighthouses are using various modern technologies to automatically turn on the lights at night and turn them off at dawn. From ancient times to the present age of modern technology lighthouses have essentially represented the navigation of mariners through life's challenges and difficult times. Lighthouses also help in aerial navigation along with marking safe entrances to dangerous coastlines, dangerous shoals, reefs, rocks and harbours.

They have been providing direction, security and a sense of hope for a smooth journey at sea. Lighthouses must symbolize the importance of movement and an important resource for making informed decisions and finding our way in times of darkness or uncertainty. Lighthouses on the shore are usually white in color so that the light can be easily recognized by seafarers. In the open sea or against a light background conspicuous bands of contrasting colors are usually used, red or black. From the early history of lighthouse creation to the present day most lighthouses were named for their location.

However several were named after ships that were wrecked near these lighthouses before a lighthouse was built. Most lighthouses also have a few rooms on top. If a light is held at a height of approximately 100 feet (about 31 meters), the geographical range of the light to an observer 15 feet above the horizon would be about 16 nautical miles (about 30 km). A lighthouse is shaped like a one-room house with a domed roof (known as a beacon) with large windows that look like lanterns. A spiral staircase (or sometimes a ladder) is used to climb to the top of the tower.

This technology of lighthouses has been in use since the birth of the lighthouse till now. Recently almost all of the lighthouses have been automated. Although these lighthouses were once widely used in ancient times. After that the number of operational lighthouses decreased due to maintenance costs. Their use has since become redundant since the advent of much cheaper, more sophisticated and effective electronic navigational systems. Nowadays all lighthouses are being modernized and its prevalence and usage is increasing.

The writer is a Network Technician (ICT Cell) Jagannath University, Dhaka.