Back before Maglite

Hi guys,

I heard a story somewhere that before Maglite was around, the "premium" flashlights used by many were plastic ones that dented when you so much as looked at them the wrong way.

Is anyone able to provide some names or information about such lights?

I'm actually also interested in what flashlights were in use in the 1920s (developing a small videogame project, and am curious as to what was used back then).

(Sorry if this is in the wrong area, I thought this would be the best for general discussion.)

Before Mag, the stamped steel lights were the norm. Mainly from Rayovac and Eveready. There are a lot of pics of collections of the antiques here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=5

Ah right, thanks for the info (I know I should've looked in collectors torches etc, although I just wasn't quite ssure what ones were from the 1920s era and premaglite.)

You can go through each brand's history also here
http://www.flashlightmuseum.com/flashlights.cfm

:welcome:






https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/150257



As for "pre-MagLite" metal flashlights,
just as Marduke said, they were usually
a stamped-steel affair, often painted or
chrome plated.

Durability was not as bad as you mention,
just not suitable for massive clobbering.




What the MagLite really brought to the party,
was a very reliable, dependable SWITCH.

No longer did the user hafta' "smack" the flashlight
every minute or two, to prevent it from dimming and flickering.



Being well-sealed, with rubber O-rings, Mags were
quite successful at keeping dirt, dust, and moisture out.



This sounds like the makings of a very interesting thread !

:thumbsup:
_

Marduke said:

Before Mag, the stamped steel lights were the norm. Mainly from Rayovac and Eveready. There are a lot of pics of collections of the antiques here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=5

Click to expand...

Right!

And you can take a peek at these on eBay almost anytime

P.S. I still have one my Dad gave me many years ago, a metal Rayovac, and it was already
old when my Dad got it!! Still works too!!

I only have one "old" flashlight.
I have an Ash Flash chrome with plastic caps and glass lense...circa 1970.

It still works well. It's not worth much monetarily, but it was given to me by my late grandmother, so it will remain as-is.

The Flashlight Museum online is a great resource for all kinds of vintage lights from this last century.