electricalgaragelighting
So we've all seen this scene dozens of times in movies: a character flips a switch and lights turn on, one at time, down a long tunnel, or throughout a giant garage, or something like that.
I'd like to mimic the effect in my garage and patio, so that all the lights don't come on at once and blind you. But how would I make this effect? From my (limited)research, I can't really find a legitimate electrical or mechanical reason for lights to turn on this way.
Besides an arcing switch, there are 2 other common 'loose wire' scenarios to consider.
Loose wire wrapped around a side screw terminal. Turn off the breaker and tighten the screw. The wire should wrap under the screw head nearly 360 degrees (clock-wise). The insulation should cover the wire to within 1/8 inch or less.
'Back stab' connections are notorious for arcing connections. I cut them off (if there is sufficient spare wire and side wire them. The 2 round holes (in the right device) are the Quickwire connections (to be avoided) Much better are 'screw and clamp' devices that allow 2 secure connections per terminal (left device in photo) 
A single-pole, double-throw switch would do the job. A common 3-way switch is exactly that.
You'd simply connect power to the common screw, and run power out from each of the traveler screws. All the neutrals tie together. Here's a nice animation showing the idea.
Best Answer
The easiest thing for you (still requires DIY though) is to buy these - or something similar. They are time
delay relays- now you get several versions/modes.Something like this (PDF)
On/Off Cycle - is what you are looking for i guess. You also get, Interval,Delay-On-Make, Re-Triggerable Single-Shot, etc
Then say you got 5 lights you set and mark each relay from 1-5 setting the delay 1sec,2sec,3sec,4sec,5sec.
Then you attach each of the relays in the order you want the lights to be on (you will know the order because you marked the relay with a number, yea ;) )
Otherwise
you will be left to build your own relays, circuits and logics... to much work.
Which of course you can find all the info (here)
C1 1 See Notes (at link)
R1 1 See Notes (at link)
D1 1 1N914 Diode
U1 1 4011 CMOS NAND Gate IC
K1 1 6V Relay
S1 1 Normally Open Push Button Switch
MISC 1 Board, Wire, Socket For U1
-EDIT AFTER ACCEPT
I found this on EBAY- a guy in Poland, near my home town actaully.. wierd.. buildts theses babies! Solid State Relays controlled via USB - if you meassage him i am sure he will tweak and build you something to your needs :)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-16-RELAY-CARD-OPTOISOLATION-SOFTWARE-/260752751134?_trksid=p4340.m8&_trkparms=algo%3DMW%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D6%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D1356110490087333626#ht_3077wt_1140
AND another here..