Petzl Flashlight

In 1984 the climber / inventor Paul Petzl came up with a headlamp with no on/off switch.  To turn the light on or off, the housing around the lens of the lamp was rotated.  Rotating this housing also served to focus the beam of light.  This style of controlling lights is still seen in headlamps and flashlights.  This design seems to be the precursor to the famous Maglite unless someone can show me that the Maglite was invented earlier. An advantage to this design is that the headlamp does not get turned on accidentally when the switch gets bumped in your pack. 

Comments

[Mike Brown]

> This design seems to be the precursor to
> the famous Maglite unless someone can show
> me that the Maglite was invented earlier.

Maglite's trademark 1,808,998 on the inscription on the Maglite(r) flashlight claims a first use date of 1979.
I think it's the mini-mag which combined the focus and power switch. Mag Instrument's website says that was introduced in 1984:

LIGHTING THE PATH TO SUCCESS
Initially targeted for the public safety sector, the Maglite® flashlight was introduced in 1979. Police officers, firefighters and mechanics quickly spread the word about this rugged, reliable anodized aluminum flashlight, which would change the portable lighting industry forever. ... The Mini Maglite® AA flashlight was launched in 1984 and set a new standard for personal size flashlights.

[flashlight]

Thank you very much for the great information.

Thanks
flashlight

[Tom Luque]

I was a high school senior in 1968, when I saw the TV invention ad with caveman chipping out a wheel. I went to the local office to show my drawing of a flashlight that would make variable focus beam by twisting the head of flashlight that could incorporate on/off control.
The man told me no one wants a new type of flashlight and that what people want is a better way to tune a guitar. He picked up his guitar and I left disappointed.