DMX512 is a technical specification for a specialized digital communication network system created in 1986 by the United States Institute for Theater Technology. The system was designed with the intention of creating a standardized way of managing theater lighting devices such as light controllers and dimmers. Since its inception, however, it has also become the standard for controlling other theater-related devices such as special effects devices. A typical system consists of a controller device and any number of slave devices required by a given theater production such as moving lights, spotlights, or fog machines.