Flashlight

Hello there. I am a flashlight. My job is to bring a bright beam of light to the darkest places. Before I came along, the world was very different when the sun went down. People used candles that flickered and dripped hot wax, which could be dangerous. They also used lanterns that burned oil and made a stinky smell. The dark could feel a little bit scary, with strange shadows dancing on the walls. It was hard to play or read a book once nighttime came. But then, a bright idea happened, and that idea was me. I was born to chase away the shadows and make the night a little friendlier. I was a new kind of magic, a little bit of sunshine you could hold right in your hand and point wherever you needed it most.

My story begins with a very clever man named David Misell. He was an inventor, and he loved to figure out how to make things that helped people. He saw how tricky it was to use candles and lanterns. He thought, “There must be a safer way to have light.” He looked at two brand-new inventions: a tiny thing called a lightbulb and a special power source called a dry cell battery. He realized that if he put them together inside a tube, he could create a portable, safe light. On January 10th, 1899, he did it. I was born. But I wasn’t quite the strong light you know today. At first, my batteries were not very powerful. They could only give enough energy for a quick flash of light before they needed to rest. That’s why people called me a “flashlight.” I couldn’t stay on, I could only flash. But another smart man named Conrad Hubert saw how useful I could be. He thought I was a wonderful invention and wanted to help me grow. He worked hard to make my batteries stronger and better. Thanks to him, I didn't have to just flash anymore. I could shine my light for a long, long time without stopping.

After I grew stronger, I started helping people everywhere. The best part about me was that I made light without any fire. I was safe. No more worries about hot wax or smoky flames. I could help a doctor see in the dark, or help a parent check on a sleeping child without waking them up. Children loved me because I helped them find lost toys under the sofa and read their favorite books under the covers. During big storms when the power went out, I helped families feel brave and safe until the lights came back on. Today, you can see my family everywhere. The little light on a phone is one of my grandchildren. I am still here, ready to shine a path, chase away the shadows, and help you find your way whenever you need a little spark in the dark.