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Although a relatively simple device, the flashlight was not invented until the late 19th century, because it depended upon the earlier invention of the electric battery (1800) and incandescent light bulb (1879). On 10 January 1899, American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company obtained U.S. Patent No. 617,592 (filed 12 March 1898) from David Misell, an inventor. This "electric device" designed by Misell was powered by "D" batteries laid front to back in a paper tube with the light bulb and a rough brass reflector at the end. The New Yorker magazine reported in 1947 that Joshua Lionel Cowen, of Lionel toy-train fame, invented the flashlight. The magazine article says that it was a slender battery in a metal tube. On one end of the tube there was a light bulb and the other end had an on-off switch. He used these "flash lights" to illuminate potted flowers. Frustrated by unresolved mechanical problems in getting them to light properly, Cowen sold the invention to Hubert, who then distributed the electrified flowerpots as novelties through his store. The novelty company owned by Conrad Hubert donated some of the tubular models (Misell's patent) to the New York City police, who responded favorably to them. Hubet ultimately turned this into the Eveready flashlight, which built a $6,000,000 fortune. These early flashlights ran on zinc--carbon batteries, which were incapable of providing a steady source of electric current, and needed to be 'rested' periodically to continue functioning. Because these early flashlights also used energy-inefficient carbon-filament bulbs, this occurred at short intervals; consequently they could be used only in brief flashes, hence the popular name flashlight.

Misell's Patent 617,592

1899 Eveready flashlight

A high power torch

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15y ago
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4mo ago

The flashlight was invented by Joshua Lionel Cowen in 1899. He created it to provide a portable, handheld light source that could be carried easily and used for illumination in various situations.

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Q: Who invented the flashlight and why?
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Related questions

Who invented the flashlight?

The flashlight was invented by British inventor David Misell in 1899. He patented his design for the first dry cell battery-powered flashlight.


Where did conrad hubert invent the flashlight?

Conrad Hubert invented the flashlight in USA.


Where was the flashlight invented?

in new amsterdam


What did conrad Zeus invent in 1936?

Conrad Hubert invented the first Eveready branded flashlight in 1898, not Zeus invented something in 1936.


When was the fail-safe flashlight invented?

you could use the right flashlight when you know if its features accommodate your request.


Conrad hubert who is he?

he invented the flashlight and the cigirate lighter


When was the flashlight invented?

The flashlight was invented in the late 19th century, around 1899, by British inventor David Misell. He patented the first ever flashlight design, which used a battery, bulb, and a small incandescent light in a tube.


Who invented the flashlight without batteries?

The hand-crank flashlight was invented by Ann Makosinski, a Canadian inventor, when she was still in high school. The flashlight generates power through kinetic energy created by hand cranking, eliminating the need for batteries.


When was the wind up flashlight invented?

The idea of a wind up flashlight came from the 1959 movie, journey to the center of the earth.


Where was the first flashlight made?

The first flashlight was invented by British inventor David Misell in 1899. He patented the design in the United States and produced the first flashlight using a handcrafted tube and incandescent light bulb.


Who invented electric torch?

The first flashlight was invented by David Missel,originally from British but lived in the US. He invented it in 1898.


How long did it take conrad hubert to invent the first flashlight?

Conrad Hubert invented the first flashlight from a shining flowerpot on 1938.