Flashlight

Hello. I am a little flashlight. Before I was born, nights were very, very dark. People used candles with wiggly, flickering flames to see. But candles could be wobbly and hot. Then, a wonderful idea popped up. What if there was a safe, magical light you could hold in your hand? A light that didn't flicker or get hot? That’s me. I was made to be your very own little piece of sunshine for the dark.

My bright beginning started a long, long time ago, on April 10th, 1899. A clever man named Conrad Hubert helped bring me to life. He saw that people needed a light they could carry safely. At first, I was very simple. My body was just a paper tube, like the one inside a roll of paper towels. Inside, I had a teeny-tiny light bulb for a nose and special power packs called batteries to give me energy. In the beginning, my batteries got tired very quickly and needed to rest. So, my light didn't stay on for a long time. It would go flash on, and flash off. That’s how I got my name, a flashlight. I would give a little flash of light and then take a little nap before I could shine again.

But I grew up and got stronger. Now, my light can stay on for a very long time without getting tired. I love my job. I help you build cozy pillow forts and read stories under the blankets. I help you find lost toys that roll under the sofa. When the power goes out and everything is dark, I am there to keep you safe and make you feel brave. I am so happy to be a little beam of light that brightens up your world.