The Fade of Time: Understanding Physical and Digital Decay

March 13, 2024

Why UV Light Is the Arch Nemesis of Your Collectibles

In an ever-evolving dialogue between the past and the present, 'Luster Lost' delves deep into the fragility of our physical and digital heritage. From the yellowed pages of newsprint archives to the pristine yet vulnerable realm of digital photos, this piece unravels the threads of decay that bind our memories to a constant battle against time and technology. By shedding light on the relentless effects of ultraviolet rays, the innovative yet ephemeral solutions like retrobright, and the encroaching specter of digital deterioration, the article serves as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of our material and digital footprints. Engaging and illuminating, it prompts a reevaluation of how we preserve the artifacts of our existence.

Read the full story here: Luster Lost

Highlights

• Physical objects degrade due to various factors, with materials like newsprint and plastics not designed for longevity.
• UV light is a major culprit behind the yellowing and degradation of many materials, affecting everything from old newspapers to retro computer cases.
• Technological advancements, such as LED lighting, offer ways to mitigate some aspects of physical decay by minimizing UV exposure.
• Novel restoration methods like retrobright provide temporary solutions to reverse the effects of aging on plastics, but they don't stop the degradation process entirely.
• While digital objects don't face the same physical deterioration, they're susceptible to other forms of decay like disk rot and obsolescence of storage media.
• Preservation efforts for both physical and digital objects require ongoing attention and adaptation to new challenges.

The article begins by addressing the pronounced degradation physical objects undergo over time, with a special focus on materials like newspapers and photographs under the influence of UV light. Ernie Smith, the writer, reflects on his personal experiences with newspaper yellowing and explores the historical transition from rag-based to wood pulp-based paper for newsprint. This transition, while economically revolutionary for the publishing industry, introduced a material that was ill-suited for long-term preservation given its inherent quality and the acidic degradation it undergoes.

The discourse shifts to the role of ultraviolet (UV) light as a major factor in the degradation of physical objects, including the yellowing of plastics over time. The discussion reveals that while sunlight is the most common source of UV light, many artificial light sources also emit UV rays that can accelerate the deterioration process. However, the modern shift towards LED lighting presents a less harmful alternative, emitting fewer UV rays. The article then delves into the practice of 'retrobrighting,' a method developed by enthusiasts to reverse the yellowing of plastic items, highlighting its temporary nature and the ongoing battle against material decay.

Finally, the article contrasts the decay of physical objects with the potential longevity of digital objects, though not without their own challenges. Digital decay, such as disk rot and the vulnerability of digital storage mediums over time, represents a significant concern for the preservation of digital information. The conclusion points towards innovative storage solutions like 5D optical storage as possible remedies to digital decay, while also reflecting on the inherent limitations of digital media to capture the nuances of analog formats. Through this exploration of decay, the reader gains an understanding of the various efforts and challenges involved in preserving both physical and digital legacies.

Read the full article here.

Essential Insights

• Ernie Smith: Editor of Tedium, actively explores topics related to digital and physical deterioration.
• Charles Fenerty: Canadian inventor who pioneered the use of wood pulp for paper production.
• Library of Congress (LOC): Institution highlighting the challenges of preserving cellulose-based materials over time.
• David Murray (The 8-Bit Guy): Retro enthusiast known for popularizing the method of retrobrighting to reverse yellowing in plastics.
• Saltypretzel (Caden Xu): Author of an academic-style paper on retrobright, analyzing its chemical impact on degraded plastics.