Module 11: The Day-Glo Brothers

• Book Summary:  The Day-Glo Brothers is about the creation of glowing colors like yellows, oranges, and green by Bob and Joe Switzer.  Early in their lives, Bob enjoyed working and planning, while Joe enjoyed practicing magic tricks and problem-solving.  After moving to Berkeley, California, Joe would do an illusion trick called black art, where an object painted half black and white looked like it was floating and disappearing when held under a white spotlight in front of a black background (Barton, 2009).  In 1933, Bod had an accident in a pickle and ketchup factory that caused him to have seizures and double vision.  Unfortunately, the accident ruined Bob's dream to become a doctor.  Due to the accident, Bob was forced to heal in the family's darkened basement.  In this basement, Joe and Bob started experimenting with black lights and flourescence.  They built a ultraviolet lamp and discovered a yellow glow after shining the light on a chemical-stained label on a bottle in their father's drugstore.  Eventually, the Switzer brothers invented a new color called Fire Orange that glowed in daylight.  This is how the "Day-Glo" colors came about.  During World War II, the military used these colors for different signals.  The Switzers' inventions helped the United States win the war.  After the war, Bob and Joe became rich.  Their colors were used in many ways including Andy Warhol's famous paintings.

• APA Reference of Book: 

Barton, C. (2009).  The day-glo brothers.  Watertown, MA:  Charlesbridge.

• Impressions:  I thought it was clever how the illustrator started off drawing the pages in black and white, and as the story developed as the Switzer brothers created colors, the pictures in the book also became colorful.  The gave lots of information about the Switzer brothers that was interesting and entertaining.  For example, I enjoyed reading about how both brothers' gifts and talents helped them create something spectacular!  My favorite part of the book was how the author ended it with, "One brother wanted to save lives.  The other brother wanted to dazzle crowds.  With Day-Glo, they did both" (Barton, 2009).  Very thoughtful way to sum up the Switzer brother's lives.

• Professional Review:  The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and BrandSNew Colors. illus. by' Tony Persiani. unpaged. CIP. Charlesbridge. 2009. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-1-57091-673-1. LC 2008026959. Gr 4-6-Before 1935, fluorescent colors did not exist. Barton discusses how two brothers worked together to create the eyepopping hues. Joe Switzer figured out that using a black light to create a fluorescent glow could spruce up his magic act, so the brothers built an ultraviolet lamp. They began to experiment with various chemicals to make glow-in-the-dark paints. Soon Joe used fluorescent-colored paper costumes in his act and word got around. Through trial and error, the brothers perfected their creation. The story is written in clear language and includes whimsical cartoons. While endpapers are Day-Glo bright, most of the story is illustrated in black, white, gray, and touches of color, culminating in vivid spreads. Discussions on regular fluorescence and daylight fluorescence are appended. This unique book does an excellent job of describing an innovative process.-Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

Reference:  Callaghan, A.C. (2009).  The day-glo brothers.  School Library Journal, 55(8), p. 118.

Library Uses:  This book could be part of a STEM program.  The book gives lots of scientific information that educators could use about light, colors, and chemicals.  The library could host a science experiment day using this book as one example of how students can experiment with scientific chemicals and information.