Flashlights aren’t what they used to be. Do you remember the big old ones of the 1950’s? They had an incandescent bulb and 2 D batteries. The bulbs would burn out once in a while, the batteries would leak and destroy the flashlight. Or you would drop it and break the glass lens.
Then came the 6 volt lantern batteries and the accompanying lantern flashlights. They were very bright and would last a long time. But, same old incandescent bulb.
Then in 1979 Anthony Maglica invented and manufactured Maglites. This flashlight had a rugged aluminum barrel, and was well built. Still it had the same old incandescent bulb.
The era of technology then drove Mr. Maglica to change the bulb (and the accompanying circuitry) to the LED bulb. I don’t know the year of this change.
Now, in 2021, Some engraved flashlights use COB bulbs, which are even brighter than LED bulbs. And some circuits even make it possible to have different light levels, flashing, strobing, and SOS blinking.
Flashlights have come a long way since the 1950’s. Let’s remember this on January 6, National Technology Day.
