Flashlight patentIn 1899, a U.S. patent was issued for an "Electric Device," invented by David Misell, which was manufactured as the first tubular "Flash Light" by Conrad Hubert at his American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company (No. 617,592). The limited power of the batteries of the era could only power the inefficient carbon-filament miniature light bulb for brief periods of time between periods of recovery time. As batteries improved, it remained known as a "flashlight" in the U.S., but known as a torch in Britain. Misell was British, but lived in Manhattan, N.Y. at the time of the patent. His design had a tubular case, lens over a reflector and bulb at one end, an switch for intermittent use, used cylindrical batteries contained end-to-end in the now familiar manner, and a removable cap at the other end to insert them.[Image: Detail of head of the flashlight from cross-section patent drawing.] |
