Released by WhatsApp recently, the dark Mode is a global trend. (Image via The Next Web)

The origin of 'Dark Mode' and its rise to fame

Recently, the dark mode has been the center of attention when cross-platform messaging service, WhatsApp, released the new “Dark Theme” for its Android 2.20.69 version and for iOS 2.20.30 version.

From a technological to healthy trends, dark mode in gadgets is not a new thing. In fact, PC was the first gadget to implement the dark mode. Then, Twitter, Facebook Messengers, Instagram, and finally, WhatsApp implemented the dark mode.

PC monitor in the past has a dark background with colorful characters due to the cathode ray tube’s (CRT) capacity at that time. Nowadays, PC uses a skeuomorphic approach where positive polarity is adopted to make the PC interface look like paper, adapting to the trend.

Even more, the dark mode has existed since the birth of the computer. The mode existed because the computer at that time used a monochrome CRT display with black phosphor on the background that turns green because of the accelerated electrons. The early word processor also allowed its users to type white texts on black background.

In the 1980s, Xerox and CPT Corp finally invented word processors with white background and black characters, replicating the paper and ink looks.

As years passed by, dark mode returned to fame. Tech giants such as Apple and Google advertised dark theme for their products. The world then followed the trend. The most common scientific benefit of the dark mode is its ability to preserve battery in gadgets with OLED or AMOLED display. Unfortunately, the dark them will not do any good on the LCD display.

On OLED display, all pixels light up individually. When the background turns white, all pixels are lit up consuming the battery. When the background turns black as in dark mode, it will not consume much battery.

Second, the dark mode induces slumber. Dark theme cuts the blue light that suppresses melatonin, an important hormone for a night of good night sleep. While dark theme promises all of this medical goodness, sometimes, they do not apply.

Source: https://bit.ly/3cxAFYM