Why is it called a flashlight?

[-o0(GoldTrader)0o-]

[FONT=&quot] Why is it called a flashlight?[/FONT]

 

[Manzerick]

Back in the day when batteries were very weak, all they could muster was a "flash" hence flashlight.


Ahhh...advancement!!

 

[duboost]

well in many other places around the world it's called a torch, but according to wikipedia (which i know isn't the most official source of info):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashlight

In 1896, the first dry cell battery was invented. Unlike previous batteries, it used a paste electrolyte instead of a liquid. This was the first battery suitable for portable electrical devices, as it did not spill or break easily and worked in any orientation.
On 10 January 1899, American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company obtained U.S. Patent No. 617,592 (filed 12 March 1898) from David Misell, its English inventor.[1] 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.[2][3] The company donated some of these devices to the New York City police, who responded favorably to them.[4]
These early flashlights ran on zinc–carbon batteries, which could not provide a steady electric current and required periodic 'rest' to continue functioning.[5] Because these early flashlights also used energy-inefficient carbon-filament bulbs, "resting" occurred at short intervals. Consequently, they could be used only in brief flashes, hence the popular name flashlight

 

[SuperTrouper]

well in many other places around the world it's called a torch

As duboost says we call them torches over here in the UK but I've found that if you say torch some people, from other parts of the world where they call them flashlights, think you're going witch burning or something so I tend to use the non specific term "lights" when posting in an international forum.

 

[Moonshadow]

That's the way to do it - wrap a rag around the end of a stout log, dip it in tar and set light to it. :devil:

All flood though, and the runtime and the regulation suck :sigh:

 

[jhc37013]

As duboost says we call them torches over here in the UK but I've found that if you say torch some people, from other parts of the world where they call them flashlights, think you're going witch burning or something so I tend to use the non specific term "lights" when posting in an international forum.

The witch burning was funny. You should stick to torch no matter where you post I always find it a bit humorous in a good way and I think it sounds cool.
Torch sounds manly serious.

 

[SuperTrouper]

The witch burning was funny. You should stick to torch no matter where you post I always find it a bit humorous in a good way and I think it sounds cool.
Torch sounds manly serious.

It's all fine until you're dealing with a supplier that offers you a pitchfork accessory for your torch!

 

[jackaloop]

In German, the term for flashlight is "Taschenlampe" which roughly translates as pocketlamp.

 

[Henk_Lu]

In German, the term for flashlight is "Taschenlampe" which roughly translates as pocketlamp.

Yeah, same in Luxembourg as our language once came from a german dialect : Täscheluucht (don't try to say that word now...).

Nearly 25 years ago, when I got my Mag4C and Mag6D I wondered if we have another term for such lights, but we haven't. So, the Mag6D is a pocket lamp, depends on your pockets I guess!

As a flashoholic, I now use the term "flashlight" also in luxembourgish. Why not, since teh computer era we saw many english terms which can't be translated invade our language...

 

[shark_za]

Torch for me but its quite interesting that the common term in Afrikaans is simply "Flits" or translated its just flash.

An abbreviation of the word flitslig.

 

[berry580]

"hand-held light", solved. haha

 

[PoliceScannerMan]

Wong thread.

 

[Jay R]

I now use the term "flashlight" also in luxembourgish. Why not, since teh computer era we saw many english terms which can't be translated invade our language...

'FLASHLIGHT' AN ENGLISH TERM !!!!!!!

Oh dear, oh dear. Come to England and use the word Flashlight and the person you were talking to would ask you one of two things.

Do you mean Torch ?

or

Are you American ?

 

[M@elstrom]

ROTFLMAO anybody still in the Commonwealth calls them a torch, however I've found everybody accepts the term "light" :thumbsup:

 

[T0RN4D0]

hehe we also call them "pocket lights", but the term "battery" (baterija) is also comonly used around here, not official though, but most people use it since it shorter than "žepna svetilka". Hm, though we do also use the term "svetilka" -light. :sick2:

Oh we have a very messed up language indeed.. :thinking:

 

[LED Cool]

would "torchlight" be an acceptable term? :thinking:

 

[Geban]

In German, the term for flashlight is "Taschenlampe" which roughly translates as pocketlamp.

Same in Sweden, it´s called ficklampa that translates exactly to pocket lamp.

 

[Geban]

'FLASHLIGHT' AN ENGLISH TERM !!!!!!!

Oh dear, oh dear. Come to England and use the word Flashlight and the person you were talking to would ask you one of two things.

Do you mean Torch ?

or

Are you American ?

I wonder how english pyromaniacs go about to torch a house?

 

[orbspeed1]

As were talking ENGLISH it's Torch :wave:

 

[Flic]

In German, the term for flashlight is "Taschenlampe" which roughly translates as pocketlamp.

Same in French. "lampe de poche"