Flashlight History - Energizer Ireland

HISTORY OF The portable lights

In the 1890s, American Ever-Ready Company founder Conrad Hubert lit up New York City with the help of dry cell batteries and his newest invention – the electric hand torch. Hubert experimented with everything from electric tie tacks to electric flower-pots before acquiring the patent for this first Eveready portable light in 1898. Hubert’s first portable lights were hand-made from crude paper and fibre tubes, with a bulb and a rough brass reflector. Because batteries were weak and bulbs primitive, portable lights of the era produced only a brief flash of light- thus their name in the US. Portable lights have come a long way – with new shapes, colours, sizes, features and uses, but our spirit of innovation has remained constant. From creating the first waterproof portable light in 1970, to being at the forefront of advances in LED technology, our lighting products offer unmatched performance and durability that you can rely on.

1898 The first EverReady torch was produced.

1902 First Ever Ready trademark appeared on end caps of torches.

1906 Ever Ready product name changed to Eveready®

1910 Eveready introduced the tungsten filament bulb.

1926Eveready introduced the company's first torch with a ring hanger, giving consumers the ability to hang or store the product wherever they need to.

1937 The first Eveready pre-focused torch bulb was introduced – the pre-assembled bulb and reflector provided a more efficient product by eliminating as much light as possible.

1956Eveready acquired V.K. Song & Co. Ltd (now Sonca), manufactures of aluminium torches.

1966 Eveready rolled out its first thermoplastic moulded torch, allowing Energizer to develop lights in new shapes sizes in an efficient process.

1967The first Eveready® rechargeable torch was introduced, which gave consumers the ability to always have working torch around the house and not depend totally on available batteries.

1968 Energizer introduced its first fluorescent lantern, which required less frequent bulb changing and greater efficiency than traditional bulbs.

1970The first waterproof torch was introduced by Energizer – giving consumers peace of mind and the ability to use product in less than perfect conditions. This was also made possible with the push-button switch, which was backed by a lifetime switch warranty.

1975 The Eveready® economy light was introduced and today is the world’s most popular torch.

1983Energizer introduced its first fluorescent torch, which required less frequent bulb changing and greater efficiency than traditional bulbs.

1984 Energizer introduced the first 2D Halogen torch, which produced a brighter light than the traditional vacuum, Krypton or Xenon bulbs.

1986The first Eveready® Squeeze Light was introduced, which allowed for new functionality in a small, compact travel size.

1996 Energizer introduced its first LED light in the form of a squeeze light, compact area/directional light and a bicycle light. The LED light source allows for increased runtime and never needs replacing.

1997The first Energizer® branded torch was introduced, the DoubleBarrel®

1998 Eveready celebrated 100 years of portable lighting products leadership.

2001Energizer partnered with Disney to become the exclusive provider of Disney branded torches in the U.S. Energizer has rolled out products based on some of the most popular Disney characters such as Tinkerbell, Cars, Nemo and Winnie the Pooh.

2005 Energizer introduced the Energizer® Quick Switch torch, allowing consumers to use the batteries they have on hand (AA, C or D cell sizes). Energizer launched the Trialfinder® line of products designed for the general camping and outdoor consumer.

2006Energizer introduced the Energizer® Weather Ready® line of products to help users be prepared in case of an emergency. The Weather Ready line of lights offer features such as extended runtimes, area lights and torches that can run on multiple cell sizes. - Energizer re-launched the Hard Case® line with the Energizer® Hard Case®Work®, Energizer® Hard Case® Professional® and Energizer® Hard Case®Tactical products. Each line of products addresses the needs of specific users within the hardware, do-it-yourself and tactical segments.

2007 Energizer introduced an innovative new line of Energizer® e2® Lithium® torches created for the extreme outdoor enthusiast. This product line is designed to maximize performance when powered by Energizer e² Lithium AA or AAA batteries.

2010Energizer launches new product and packaging designs as well as introduces new battery and lighting products to its portfolio.

1898

The first EverReady torch was produced.

1902

First Ever Ready trademark appeared on end caps of torches.

1906

Ever Ready product name changed to Eveready®

1910

Eveready introduced the tungsten filament bulb.

1926

Eveready introduced the company’s first torch with a ring hanger, giving consumers the ability to hang or store the product wherever they need to.

1937

The first Eveready pre-focused torch bulb was introduced – the pre-assembled bulb and reflector provided a more efficient product by eliminating as much light as possible.

1956

Eveready acquired V.K. Song & Co. Ltd (now Sonca), manufactures of aluminium torches.

1966

Eveready rolled out its first thermoplastic moulded torch, allowing Energizer to develop lights in new shapes sizes in an efficient process.

1967

The first Evereaday® rechargeable torch was introduced, which gave consumers the ability to always have working torch around the house and not depend totally on available batteries.

1968

Energizer introduced its first fluorescent lantern, which required less frequent bulb changing and greater efficiency than traditional bulbs.

1970

The first waterproof torch was introduced by Energizer – giving consumers peace of mind and the ability to use product in less than perfect conditions. This was also made possible with the push-button switch, which was backed by a lifetime switch warranty.

1975

The Evereaday® economy light was introduced and today is the world’s most popular torch.

1983

Energizer introduced its first fluorescent torch, which required less frequent bulb changing and greater efficiency than traditional bulbs.

1984

Energizer introduced the first 2D Halogen torch, which produced a brighter light than the traditional vacuum, Krypton or Xenon bulbs.

1986

The first Evereaday® Squeeze Light was introduced, which allowed for new functionality in a small, compact travel size.

1996

Energizer introduced its first LED light in the form of a squeeze light, compact area/directional light and a bicycle light. The LED light source allows for increased runtime and never needs replacing.

1997

The first Energizer® branded torch was introduced, the DoubleBarrel®

1998

Evereaday celebrated 100 years of portable lighting products leadership.

2001

Energizer partnered with Disney to become the exclusive provider of Disney branded torches in the U.S. Energizer has rolled out products based on some of the most popular Disney characters such as Tinkerbell, Cars, Nemo and Winnie the Pooh.

2005

Energizer introduced the Energizer® Quick Switch torch, allowing consumers to use the batteries they have on hand (AA, C or D cell sizes). Energizer launched the Trialfinder® line of products designed for the general camping and outdoor consumer.

2006

Energizer introduced the Energizer® Weather Ready® line of products to help users be prepared in case of an emergency. The Weather Ready line of lights offer features such as extended runtimes, area lights and torches that can run on multiple cell sizes. – Energizer re-launched the Hard Case® line with the Energizer® Hard Case®Work®, Energizer® Hard Case® Professional® and Energizer® Hard Case®Tactical products. Each line of products addresses the needs of specific users within the hardware, do-it-yourself and tactical segments.

2007

Energizer introduced an innovative new line of Energizer® e2® Lithium® torches created for the extreme outdoor enthusiast. This product line is designed to maximize performance when powered by Energizer e² Lithium AA or AAA batteries.

2010

Energizer launches new product and packaging designs as well as introduces new battery and lighting products to its portfolio.