Blackpool's first display of just eight arc lights was called 'artificial sunshine' in 1879 and predated the arrival of the commercial light bulb. However, it wasn't until 1912 that the Blackpool decided to stage the first 'illuminations'. Here, workers fix lamps on Blackpool Tower ready for the 1935 displayPhotograph: Corbis1936: A workman fitting light bulbs on to one of the display models. Last year more than 3.5 million visitors came to see the event, that included over a million lamps Photograph: Getty ImagesPhotograph: Nick Yapp/Getty Images1936: Two holidaymakers by a large illuminated policeman on the front at Blackpool. Over the years the display has pioneered the latest in lighting technology, from rope lights to outdoor LEDs and low-voltage 'greener' bulbs – in recent years the amount of electricity used has almost halved Photograph: Getty ImagesPhotograph: Nick Yapp/Getty ImagesThe 1936 illuminations snake along the promenade. In 1939 the lights were set up but never switched on because of the outbreak of warPhotograph: APThe lights were halted during both world wars. This welcome arch on Blackpool promenade featured in 1954Photograph: Fox Photos/Getty ImagesIlluminated rides at The Pleasure Beach in 1955Photograph: Fred Morley/Getty ImagesThe Central Promenade is strung with lights in 1958. The display now stretches for six miles along the seafrontPhotograph: Press AssociationThe popular rocket tram shown here in 1966 has been restored and will sit at Gynn Square, hung with 3,500 lamps and with a huge figure of an astronaut from the 1970s floating above itPhotograph: Alamy1993: Blackpool's Golden Mile at night. The 2012 display features around 100 miles of party lights, 200 miles of wiring, 5,000 floodlights and more than one million lampsPhotograph: Richard Baker/CorbisThe 1998 illuminations depicting stars of Coronation Street. Other TV characters to feature have included Doctor Who and this year Nickelodeon figures such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. You can even get your own face put in lights for £100!Photograph: Somerset Photo/Rex FeaturesIn 2005 the world's largest mirror ball, entitled 'They Shoot Horses Don't They?' was one of 10 artworks unveiled Photograph: Christopher ThomondSponsors feature heavily in this section of the 2007 display. The current illuminations cost £2.2m to stagePhotograph: John Lawrence/Getty ImagesHolidaymakers enjoying the illuminated Big One rollercoaster ride on the final weekend of the school holidays in 2007 Photograph: Christopher Thomond2007: Some of the thousands of cyclists who took to the streets of Blackpool for the Ride the Lights eventPhotograph: Christopher Thomond2011: The pleasure beach bus is a quicker way take in the display, although walking is the best way to soak up the atmospherePhotograph: Ashley Cooper/CorbisPutting the finishing touches to the 70s large-scale astronaut to be installed above the rocket tram in the centenary display. The lights will run from 31 August-4 November 2012, visitblackpool.com/illuminationsPhotograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images