OT (als inhaltliche Ergänzung des OP und in der aktuellen Hoffnung, das dieses Wort auch zukünftig nur theoretisch interessant sein wird)
Aus den Links in penguins #4, Hervorhebungen von mir:
Wikipedia deutsch:
Erster Weltkrieg:
Zuvor war bereits Ende 1914 aus Furcht vor Angriffen deutscher Luftschiffe in England die Verdunkelung hauptstädtischer Straßen üblich. Außerdem mussten Straßenbahnwagen mit heruntergezogenen Jalousien fahren, und Straßenlaternen wurden abgeschaltet bzw. an der Oberseite verdunkelt, z. B. durch Auftragen von Ruß. In London führten diese Maßnahmen zu einer derartigen Zunahme von Verkehrsunfällen, dass hierdurch vermutlich mehr Menschen ums Leben kamen als durch die Luftangriffe selbst. Der Londoner Polizeiarzt berichtete jedenfalls von einer deutlichen Zunahme der Verkehrstoten in den Monaten September und Oktober 1914 (163 im Vergleich zu 101 im Vorjahr). Aus Angst vor deutschen Zeppelinen war sogar während der – sonst als Lichtfest gefeierten – Weihnachtsfeiertage 1914 in London Verdunkelung angeordnet.
Wikipedia englisch:
World War II
During World War II, the Air Ministry had forecast that Britain would suffer night air bombing attacks causing large numbers of civilian casualties and mass destruction. It was widely agreed that navigation and targeting would be more difficult if man-made lights on the ground could be extinguished. [...]
Blackout regulations were imposed on 1 September 1939, before the declaration of war. These required that all windows and doors should be covered at night with suitable material such as heavy curtains, cardboard or paint, to prevent the escape of any glimmer of light that might aid enemy aircraft. [...] External lights such as street lights were switched off, or dimmed and shielded to deflect light downward. Essential lights such as traffic lights and vehicle headlights were fitted with slotted covers to deflect their beams downwards to the ground.
Shops and factories had particular problems. Factories with large areas of glass roofing found it impossible to install temporary blackout panels and permanent methods (such as paint) lost natural light during daylight. Shops had to install double "airlock" doors to avoid lights showing as customers arrived and departed.
Blackouts proved one of the more unpleasant aspects of the war, disrupting many civilian activities and causing widespread grumbling and lower morale.
The blackout was enforced by civilian ARP wardens who would ensure that no buildings allowed the slightest peek or glow of light. Offenders were liable to stringent legal penalties.
Blackout restrictions greatly increased the dangers of night driving and fatalities increased as a consequence. As a result, some aspects were relaxed and speed limits were lowered. Fatalities were also recorded amongst merchant seamen falling into the docks at night and drowning during the blackout.
Crime also increased under cover of darkness, from looting, theft, burglary, robbery, fraud, and gang-related activities, to rape and murder, and even serial murder.
