Electric blue (color)


Electric blue is a color whose definition varies but is often considered close to cyan, and which is a representation of the color of lightning, an electric spark, and the color of ionized argon gas; it was originally named after the ionized air glow produced during electrical discharges, though its meaning has broadened to include shades of blue that are metaphorically "electric" by virtue of being "intense" or particularly "vibrant". Electric arcs can cause a variety of color emissions depending on the gases involved, but blue and purple are typical colors produced in the troposphere where oxygen and nitrogen dominate.
The first recorded use of electric blue as a color name in English was in 1845. The color electric blue was in vogue in the 1890s.

Variations of electric blue

Deep electric blue (French electric blue)

The deep tone of electric blue displayed at right is the color called bleu électrique in the , a color list widely popular in France.

Iridescent electric blue

This shade of electric blue reflects the kind which is only metaphorically "electric". Its iridescence is also metaphoric.

Medium electric blue

The color displayed at right titled medium electric blue matches the color of the color sample of the original called electric blue that "had an immense vogue in the latter 19th century".
Still today, this tone of electric blue is a typical contemporary "electric blue" fabric color that is used in manufacturing for the mass market.

Dark electric blue

Dark electric blue is a dark cyan color that is the color called electric blue in the ISCC-NBS color list.
Source of the color dark electric blue:

In nature

Crustaceans

The electric blue crayfish is a species of freshwater crayfish endemic to Florida.

Reptiles

The electric blue gecko was first discovered by biologist William in the 1950s.

In culture

Astrology

The color electric blue is associated with the astrological sign of Aquarius.

Panelology

In a 1998 retelling of the original 1963 story of Superman Red/Superman Blue, Superman is temporarily deprived of the solar energy needed to provide the energy his body required to give him powers and Superman develops electricity-based abilities, which eventually forces him to adopt a blue and white containment suit to prevent the energy from dispersing. While retaining most of his abilities, he could now also generate electric attacks rather than his original heat-vision. This version of Superman was referred to by some comic book fans as "Electric Blue Superman".

Music

David Bowie's song "Sound and Vision" references the color in the third verse,

Blue, blue, electric blue
That's the color of my room
Where I will live
Blue, blue