Who invented the flashlight?

crotalus77

From site: Although a flashlight is a relatively simple device, its invention did not occur until the late 19th century because it depended upon the earlier invention of the electric battery and electric light. Conrad Hubert received a US patent in 1903 , number 737,107 issued August 26, for a flashlight with an on/off switch in the now familiar cylindrical casing containing lamp and batteries. http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/flashlight.htm Dec 06 12, 12:22 PM

MyGirl2000

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. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_invented_the_flashlight_and_why Dec 06 12, 1:07 PM

sanjupath

conrad hubert in 1902 Dec 08 12, 8:20 AM