Lichtenberg figure woodworking

[Jon]

Lichtenberg figures are distinctive branching designs caused by electrical discharges; they were discovered in 1777 by German physicist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg. They often appear on insulating materials as evidence of deterioration of high voltage components.

For example, here's a Lichtenberg figure on a polycarbonate sheet:




Lightning strikes are a classic example of Lichtenberg figures:




Lichtenberg figures can even appear temporarily on the skin of victims of lightning strikes, where they're known as "lightning flowers":




Lichtenberg figures can be produced intentionally by applying high voltage to a non-conducting surface. This practice is cool, dangerous, and you can do it at home. Thus, it's popular among woodworkers online.

IMO, Lichtenberg figures look best on rustic or live edge woodworking pieces. The aesthetic works for me if, from a distance, wood that has been Lichtenberg figured almost looks like a naturally deeply figured piece of wood, perhaps from an unusual piece of a rare wood species.

This one may be a bit much for me, but you can see how the Lichtenberg figures work with the live edge and the uneven rim of this vase:




Though often a bit gaudy with their colors, I also like the possibilities of using inlays in the Lichtenberg scars.




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