A remarkable collection of 36 historic art panels owned by Seattle City Light has largely resurfaced after being lost for decades, though four pieces remain missing. The discovery has sparked a mystery that officials hope the public can help solve, as questions remain about whether the missing panels were misplaced, lost, or potentially stolen.
The complete set, created 90 years ago, was originally titled "The Evolution of Lighting" by Seattle City Light, the city's public utility company that commissioned the artwork. These exquisite panels tell a comprehensive visual story chronicling humanity's relationship with light throughout history, serving as both artistic treasures and educational tools about the progression of illumination technology.
The panels trace an inspiring narrative arc that begins with humanity's earliest encounters with light and progresses through major technological breakthroughs. The collection starts with primitive scenarios such as "Primitive Man's First Source of Light, a Forest Fire Caused by Lightning," depicting ancient humans' first experiences with illumination beyond natural sunlight and moonlight.
The artistic journey continues chronologically through various stages of human innovation and discovery, ultimately reaching the modern era with panels celebrating major technological achievements. The collection concludes with "Edison's First Incandescent Lamp, Perfected 1879," honoring Thomas Edison's groundbreaking invention that revolutionized indoor lighting and changed the course of human civilization.
With 32 of the 36 panels now recovered, city officials and art enthusiasts are turning to the community for assistance in solving the puzzle of the four missing pieces. This public appeal echoes previous successful crowdsourcing efforts where citizens have helped solve historical mysteries and locate missing artifacts, demonstrating the power of collective knowledge and community engagement in preserving cultural heritage.
