Historical information

In the 1890s, American Ever-Ready Company founder Conrad Hubert invented the electric flash light which worked with his dry cell batteries . The first Ever Ready flash light was patented in 1898.

The first portable flashlights were hand-made from crude paper and fibre tubes, with a bulb and a rough brass reflector. Because batteries were weak and bulbs primitive, flashlights of the era produced only a brief flash of light- thus the name.

This torch is named a Bullseye because of the glass lens at the top.

Significance

This torch helps to interpret the development of lighting. The collection of whale oil lamps as well as gas and electric lighting.

Physical description

Silver coloured metal torch. It has a body and a lid/top. The body is hip flask shaped. On the side of the body is a silver coloured metal button which can be slid up and down. On both the front and back of the body and the top centre are tow small raised circles.
The top, which can be removed has a glass dome on it.
The inside of the body has a small piece of contact metal where the slide button on the outside turn the torch on and off. In the centre at the top there is the light bulb.
The base of the body can also be removed. The base has the makers mark EVER READY stamped on it.

Inscriptions & markings

Lid light: FY (within a diamond shape) / PATENT 40092
Base: EVER READY