Energy dome

2008 Energy Dome manufactured by FDOS Design

Energy dome refers to the red terraced headgear first worn by Devo during their Freedom of Choice years. Other incorrect names include "power dome" and "flowerpot" (often used in a derogatory sense). Energy Domes have been a regular part of Devo's stage costumes since 1980, worn in their 1982, 1988, and 1990 tours, as well as most performances since 1997. They are made of vacuum formed plastic, in a distinct round, ziggurat shape.

"We designed them (their hats), Jerry and I. We were influenced both by German Bauhaus movement and geometric fashion, and Aztec temples. We just liked the look. It looked good, and it didn't look like any other bands out there. We weren't interested in wearing groovy hats or groovy clothing. We kind of looked like Lego toys or something by the time we got those on our heads, and that was a positive thing."

Variants

Three models of Devo Energy Dome. Left: 1996 dome, Center: 2008 FDOS Design dome, Right: 2005 Disguise dome, made from original Club Devo mold.

Though the traditional Energy Dome is red, several variants of the dome have existed. In 1981, Devo wore green Energy Domes while performing "Whip It" on the Solid Gold television show. In a 1984 Diet Coke advertisement, Devo sported white Domes. Silver chrome Domes were worn by Devo in concert in 2002, made by covering a regular Energy Dome in silver tape. In 2004, for Devo's shows on the Nike-sponsored Run Hit Wonder race/concert, blue Domes were used, and sold to fans. In the music video for "Go Monkey Go", Mark Mothersbaugh can be seen wearing a white Dome with a purple bottom tier. An appearance by Devo on the VH1 show TrueSpin featured charcoal gray Domes. Assorted prototype and fan-made domes in a rainbow of colors exist, as well.

Energy Domes sold through Club Devo have come in several forms. The original Club Devo domes were of a smaller size than the stage-worn domes, with raised "DEVO" text on the top and a lip around the edge. This same mold was used again in 2005 for mass-produced Energy Domes sold as Halloween costumes. In 1996, Devo sold new Energy Domes that roughly matched the stage-worn model, though the new stage domes were slightly smaller than the original. The first versions of these Domes were made of white plastic, spray-painted red. These were later replaced with domes made in a solid red plastic in 2004, manufactured by Chaser Shirts. In 2005, NECA Collectibles began manufacturing Energy domes for Devo out of thin, off-color plastic. These were used until 2008 when a fan began custom manufacturing domes out of thick, red plastic for the band. The new domes revert back to the dimensions of the original stage Energy domes.^[1]

2010 Blue Domes

2010 Blue Energy Dome, manufactured by API

On February 22, 2010 at an appearance during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, blue Domes were distributed to the audience and worn on stage. Blue domes were later put on sale in April of 2010. The new color for the domes was selected through an online survey and focus group testing as part of the marketing campaign to promote Something for Everybody, Devo's ninth studio album. The newest edition of the domes are cyan, while the 2004 domes are a dark blue.

Mythology

According to Gerald Casale on the Devo website:

It was designed according to ancient ziggurat mound proportions used in votive worship. Like the mounds it collects energy and recirculates it. In this case the Dome collects energy that escapes from the crown of the human head and pushes it back into the Medula Oblongata for increased mental energy. It's very important that you buy a cheap plastic hardhat liner, adjust it to your head size and affix it with duct tape or Super Glue to the inside of the Dome. This allows the Dome to "float" just above the cranium and thus do its job. Unfortunately, without a hard hat liner, the recirculation of energy WILL NOT occur.^[2]

In keeping with Devo's love of facetious "truths", several origins of the energy domes exist. According to one story, the band took the design for the hats straight out of a Little Lulu comic book, or that they were inspired from a passage in the book The Beginning Was the End. Another involves inspiration from an old art deco lamp from Jerry Casale's collection. Mark Mothersbaugh also liked to refer them as "ziggurat hats" in interviews. Another inspiration for the headgear were lamps from their old high school.

References

1. ^ Photographic collection of Devo Energy domes and other custom plastic gear.
2. ^ Description of the Energy Dome on the official Devo website

• Video of the Energy Dome manufacturing process