In the early days of recreational camping, most campers relied on the natural light provided by their fire, or the moon on a bright night to see after dark. A modest fire can provide light equivalent to about one hundred candles. Until modern times, many tents were made of white or light-colored canvas, and the campfire was often built near the tent to provide warmth all night. The light-colored material reflected some of the fire light, amplifying its brightness. Although fires provide enough light for most after-dark tasks, they are not portable.
Candles and oil wicks filled the role of portability and were most useful inside lanterns or tents. Although they could be extinguished with a strong gust of wind, they were more resilient than many who live today assume. Lanterns, while commonly used, were heavy, bulky, and often fragile.
Soldiers, hunters, and mountaineers often carried lanterns and preferred designs with durable construction and small-size or folding parts for better portability. Some examples include pocket folding lanterns (pictured at right), skater-style lanterns, and punched tin lanterns, which had a tin frame with small holes punched to allow the light through in lieu of glass or mica.
Skater lanterns were simple oil lanterns with a compact design and thick glass which made them popular with ice skaters who used them to light their path as they glided across the ice. This term eventually became synonymous with a small oil lantern. In contrast, punched tin lanterns were not intended for nighttime travel. They were intended as candle transporters such as between the house and barn or between two tents in camp. The holes provided just enough illumination to walk carefully while preventing the candle from being extinguished by the wind. All these lanterns could typically use oil or candles and often featured foldable components to improve packability. Despite these advancements, they remained bulky by today’s portable light standards.
Lighting technology was advancing rapidly at the dawn of recreational camping. In less than a century, portable outdoor lighting evolved from ancient methods to the electric flashlight. Lighting technology had historically depended on burning fat, oil, or beeswax. Before the Civil War, beeswax candles were quite expensive, especially for working-class individuals. Whale oil was also usually too expensive for the working class. So, they typically relied on tallow, vegetable oil, or some other animal-derived fat.
Advances in refining crude oil transformed the lighting landscape in the nineteenth century. By the mid-century, paraffin and mechanized manufacturing had significantly lowered the cost of candles. Kerosene emerged as a new, low-cost alternative to animal oils eventually supplanting them by the 1870s. Lantern technology progressed quickly over the second half of the nineteenth century.
Outdoor recreation brought new demands that required specialized lighting technology. The journey from lanterns to headlamps happened more quickly than you might expect. We will begin by looking at the early authors who first informed city dwellers about how to camp for fun.
William H.H. Murray published Adventures in the Wilderness in 1869 and launched the outdoor recreation movement. His book was part adventure narrative part guidebook. He writes to a broad audience and recommends they hire a guide to lead them into the wilderness. Thus, his instructions are limited on the topic of gear. He assumes the professional guide will manage many of these things. So, he does not mention lighting options for camp.
Instead, Murray spends a few pages discussing a light source for night hunting and fishing as he knew this was a popular reason many of his readers would hire a guide. He describes his invention of a headlamp used for hunting deer only, not hiking. Here is an excerpt.
“Having in seasons previous experienced the disadvantages of the old jack [synonym for lantern], I determined to invent and construct one which should absolutely overcome all these imperfections. This is what I hit upon. I took a common fireman's hat, and, having the rim removed, had the crown padded with wadding, and lined with chamois-skin. I caused a half-moon lantern of copper to be made with a concave bottom which fitted closely to the hat, and was fastened thereto with screws. Through the top of the hat a hole was made large enough for the burner to pass; the lamp itself, containing the oil, was fitted and held by brass studs to the crown, between it and the head. In the back side of the lantern was placed a German-silver reflector, heavily plated. The screw which lifts and lowers the wick was connected with a shank that projected through the side of the lantern, so that by a touch of the finger the light might be let on or cut off. A large, softly padded throat-latch buckled the jack firmly to my head. Observe the advantages of this jack over the old style. Being enclosed by an air-tight glass front, it might be used in a tornado. When floating for deer you could turn the wick so low down that no light was visible, and when one was heard you could run down toward him, and, with your finger on the adjusting screw, turn on the light just when you wanted it, and not an instant before, and this too without a moment's pause. If the deer was on the jump, it made no difference. The reflector was so powerful, that, if you turned the wick well up, it made a lane some three rods wide and fifteen rods long as light as day, and the jack being on your head, the blaze was never off the leaping deer, whose motion your eye would naturally follow, and as your head turned, so, without thought or effort on your part, turned the jack.”1 (edited for grammar to improve readability) Here we see Murray experimenting with a head-mounted light. His contraption was never patented so far as can be found, but he was well ahead of his time.
John M. Gould authored a comprehensive camping guide How To Camp Out, published in 1877. He was not too keen about the lanterns available in his day. He recommended candles to his readers. He advised packing a candle stand or if unavailable, “…use your pocket-knife, putting one blade in the bottom or side of the candle, and another blade into the ground or tent-pole.”2
In 1873 John H. Irwin patented his cold-blast tubular lantern. The Dietz Company licensed the rights to sell Irwin's design and sold it as the now-famous Hurricane lantern (pictured at top). It used a flat wick--a novel concept at the time--to burn kerosene. Its safety features and ability to remain lit in higher winds made it extremely popular for outdoor lighting, earning its hurricane moniker. It became a popular choice of lantern for campers until the Coleman came along.
Another notable Dietz model designed for portability was the Boy lantern released in 1879. This one was fashioned after the skater-style lantern.
George Washington Sears, known as Nessmuk, also commented on portable lighting options. By the time Woodcraft and Camping was published, sportsmen could purchase ready-made oil lamps that could be mounted on hats. Sears referenced Murray's description in his book. However, it is unclear what Murray’s light looked like. It likely resembled the reflector oil lamps common in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. One example of such a lamp is the Ferguson Excelsior Universal Lamp (above) which was designed to be small and bright. It had a reflector behind the flame to concentrate the light in one direction. It was universal because various mounts could be purchased to attach it to a boat, a bicycle, a carriage, or a hat. It could be easily carried to light the trail as Sears recommends. It could also be hung from a pole to light a tent.
One fascinating element of this story is the Hitchcock lamp (below). Although it is not well known today, it uniquely addressed some of the problems of oil lamps. The lantern globe offers a decent barrier from crosswinds that could extinguish the flame. More importantly, it acts as a chimney providing an updraft of air that comes from below the flame allowing it to burn cleanly and brightly.
The Handbook for Boys published in the U.S. in 1911 includes a candle in the camp packing list. It also warns against reading by candlelight in bed due to the risk of fire if the user falls asleep. The Handbook suggests a carbide lamp, specifically the Baldwin Camp Lamp, for group camping. This style of lamp burned acetylene gas and was invented in 1900 by Frederick Baldwin.
The carbide lamp (below) was primarily used by miners and cavers, but it also found popularity among backpackers and outdoorsmen well into the 1970s. Notably, Gene Epsy, the second person to through-hike the Appalachian Trail carried one instead of a flashlight.4
Another popular lantern model in the early twentieth century was the Dietz Scout, which was based on the earlier Boy model. The Scout was a small oil lantern first sold in 1921. It was designed for portability and was popular among Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, hunters and backpackers. Learn more about them here.
W.C. Coleman began his lamp business in 1900. He did not invent the technology behind his lamps, the incandescent mantel. It was first patented by Carl Auer von Welsbach, an Austrian inventor, in 1884. Mantel lamps that burned pressurized gas began appearing first in Europe and then the United States shortly thereafter.
In 1914 Coleman released the Model L (also referred to as Model 316) as their first lantern. The model quickly gained a glowing reputation among farmers and campers alike. This and other early models of lanterns were large and so preferred by auto and canoe campers as well as backpackers traveling in groups.
Despite the development of brighter lighting options, candle lanterns remained popular throughout the years. They are almost as old as the candle itself. Mountaineers have preferred foldable pocket lanterns for a couple of centuries and were first used in the Alps. Candle lanterns have been manufactured by many companies over the years, including Coleman. Coleman's model 828-525 burned tea candles which can burn for a surprising four to five hours.
Among all the candle lanterns manufactured, few have been truly ground-breaking. In 1919, Danish patent number 24,426 was issued for a candle lantern that featured a spring under the candle pressing it upward into a funnel. This innovative design allowed the flame to remain stationary and ensured more wax was consumed.
By the 1950s, the spring candle lantern had matured into a small, compact, and collapsible design. These were more compact than prior folding pocket candle lanterns and replaced them as the new standard. They gained popularity in France and the U.S. among mountaineers and backpackers.
Around 1980, Gary Klees identified several shortcomings in existing designs and set out to make improvements. His enhanced model was inspired by a French-made candle lantern, often branded as Le Grand Tétras, which was sold in R.E.I. catalogs in the U.S. Klees collaborated with Early Winters, a camping equipment company, to market his new design. They partnered with UCO, another manufacturer, to construct the new candle lanterns in 1981. Eventually, the Klees design dropped the Early Winters label and became the UCO lantern. While it has undergone some minor updates, it is still one of their most popular products. At one point, R.E.I. partnered with UCO to sell candle lanterns under the R.E.I. label using this established design.
Despite their popularity, candle lanterns have some drawbacks. When hung in a small tent, they are prone to being bumped and jostled which often results in wax running down into the spring mechanism, gumming it up. This necessitates frequent cleaning to remove wax buildup. One effective solution is to replace the candle with an oil reservoir converting the packable candle lantern to an oil lantern. This requires the owner to purchase the reservoir in addition to the lantern.
Today, many people prefer LED lanterns for their simplicity and low risk, resulting in a decline in candle lantern's prevalence in camp. The UCO candle lantern has remained one of the most popular spring-loaded candle lanterns for over forty years, helping keep candle lanterns from being extinguished by newer technology. Candle lanterns still offer several benefits, which help explain their resilience. One, they warm a small tent. Two, they offer the ambiance of a classic flame lantern with more simplicity, a smaller learning curve, and less weight.28
One of the most convenient flame lanterns ever produced may have been the Coleman 5154 A 700 which operates on propane or butane fuel. It entered the market in the early to mid-1980s and featured a piezo igniter. It had two mantles and could be ignited without a match or lighter in just one half-turn of the knob making it nearly as simple to use as an electric lantern.
Propane lanterns provide more light relative to the fuel weight, than liquid fuel lanterns, although they require thicker-walled containers, which diminishes most of the weight advantages. The main appeal of propane lanterns is their simplicity. This was especially true in past decades since propane was more expensive when first introduced.
In contrast, liquid fuel lanterns require pouring and regular pumping to pressurize the tank. The liquid fuel also poses a risk of leaking into the pack. Propane is more convenient and has a smaller learning curve. It’s hard to determine which fuel type sold more units. Both propane and liquid fuel lanterns were popular through the late 80s, 90s and 00s.
In 1981, Coleman released an updated miniature lantern, the model 222, which was part of the Peak1 line of adventure-focused gear. This single-mantle lantern was had many improvements over the original model 242. It was about half the size of a standard Coleman model. This lantern came as backpacking was exploding in popularity, so it saw good success. Renowned guidebook author Johnny Molloy, who has written over 80 guidebooks, carried one in his pack for years.5
Primus also manufactured small lanterns over the latter decades of the twentieth century. The 2220 (below to right) is mentioned by Fletcher in The New Complete Walker as the clear winner among available backpacking lanterns. It weighed one pound four ounces including the fuel tank. It was a compact single-mantle propane lantern.
Coleman later produced a competitor named the Compact (model 2000026392) which boasted 300 lumens as stated on the box. This model experienced some success and is still available. These small propane lanterns offered two advantages to backpackers: convenience and space savings. However, they offered minimal weight advantages over liquid fuel lantern models due to the heavier propane tanks.
Butane canisters were generally lighter thanks to thinner walls. Converters could be purchased that enabled propane lanterns to connect to butane fuel tanks beginning in the 1970s. Butane has one major drawback: it does not function well at temperatures below the mid-40s Fahrenheit, which leads many campers to prefer propane lanterns for their versatility.
An obvious solution would be to mix the fuels into one canister. Unfortunately, U.S. law prohibited this until around 1989. Mixed butane/propane canisters had been commonplace in Europe and other regions for many years prior to that change. When the law was amended, European manufacturers were ready to enter the U.S. market.29 These canisters became popular in the 1990s thanks to the ultralight movement and updated laws. They offered all the advantages of propane while being lighter than the standard one-pound propane canisters. An early example of these lanterns sold in the U.S. is the Camping Gaz Bivouac 270.6
Today, Primus sells a couple of models using these canisters and Fire-Maple makes a model also called Orange. These have not achieved widespread popularity as most people prefer LED lanterns or classic two-mantle flame lantern, which provides more light and a nostalgic look.
Electrification
Readers may know the first electric flashlight was invented by David Misell and patented in 1899. Conrad Hubert purchased the patent to be sold by his company as the no. 1, even though he had been selling the flashlight for a year before the patent was issued. This company would later become the well-known Ever Ready, which was eventually shortened to Eveready. Misell’s design featured a tubular shape that was easy to hold, with a body made of stiff cardboard covered by leather.
Initial models had limitations, as they provided brief "on" periods lasting a moment or two. The switch had to be held in the “on” position, and if released, would revert to “off.” They were initially popular with city police who patrolled on foot to search alleyways and streets at night. They were advertised to the public and the first catalog described them as useful for minors, hunters, plumbers, physicians, etc.9
These handheld flashlights had moderate success from the beginning despite their limitations. However, the number 1 only had a brief time in the spotlight and was quickly overshadowed by upgraded models.
In 1903, Eveready added another model to their line called the Comet (below), designed by Morris Newgold. This flashlight had an all-metal construction and a unique spring blade switch that could be held down to provide momentary light or be turned 90 degrees to the “on” position. The Comet was the first light marketed directly to outdoor enthusiasts with an ad appearing in Field and Stream Magazine on May 2, 1903, under the heading "Sportsman’s Flashlight." It sold for $2.00 and stayed in Eveready’s catalog until about 1920 as an “economy” model. (Flashlights pg 109)10 The Comet remained virtually unchanged through this time, making it a significant model on the road to electrification of personal lights.
In 1907 Eveready introduced a tungsten filament bulb to their line of flashlights. These new tungsten filament bulbs lasted longer and produced a brighter beam compared to prior carbon filament versions. Eveready also introduced several models with metal bodies, significantly improving durability over the original paperboard construction. Despite these advancements, the early models were still limited by the technology of the day, or instance, the batteries had a shelf life of only nine months. Nevertheless, campers took to these newfangled electric torches quickly despite their limitations.11
By 1915 Eveready boasted 75 different models in their offerings. So it is unlikely a single model can be identified as the most influential or responsible for converting the masses to electrify their camp lights. This same year, Eveready began a marketing campaign strategy that targeted campers by regularly placing ads in outdoor recreation-focused publications like Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, and Rod and Gun in addition to publications with a broader audience. Most of the ads feature a different model in their line.
Some advertisements claim that all their models are water- and oil-proof. However, today it might be more accurate to refer to them as water-resistant as few of their models were watertight enough to withstand full submersion.
The brand marketed to both men and women. The model 4706 (right) was advertised in Ladies Home Journal as compact enough to fit in a handbag yet powerful enough for any nighttime needs, even in camp.7
Two models featured prominently in the advertisements are particularly noteworthy because they are easily recognizable as flashlights. Models 2659 (left) and 2633 both have a cylindrical body with a flared head where the bulb sits. This form factor eventually became the standard design for nearly all handheld flashlights. Plus, these models seem to be featured most often in advertisements across both the United States and Canada. Outdoor Life magazine printed a lengthy article in 1916 that illuminated readers of the merits of an electric flashlight in camp. The piece was authored by famed outdoor writer Robert Page Lincoln. Endorsements from popular outdoor writers like Lincoln fueled the transition from flame to filament.12
Various Scouting magazines ran ads for flashlights, and some camping guidebooks of the interwar years recommended them alongside other lighting options. By at least the 1930s, Boy Scout leaders expressed concern that young people and some adults were unfamiliar with operating flame lanterns because they primarily used electric portable lights. Full electrification of all light sources in camp was still many decades away, however.13
One of the most recognizable and iconic flashlights in history is the World War II-era angle-head GI flashlight. It was the standard issue light source for U.S. troops during that global conflict and proved to be durable, continuing to serve throughout the Vietnam War. Where did it originate?
The inspiration for the light begins in 1923 when a man named Charles Osean filed a patent for a flashlight with an elbow design, as described in his patent. He added a clip on the back of the head so it could be hooked on a pocket or mount.
Osean’s design became the Eveready model number 2694 and was made of brass. The Eveready flashlight was released around 1925, and the Boy Scouts quickly adopted the light for their camping and backpacking trips. It could easily be carried hooked on the belt or pack strap to provide light for the trail, or it could be set on the ground to illuminate nighttime tasks in camp. It was so popular among the Scouts, Eveready released a Boy Scout branded model in 1927, model number 2697 (left).
The lights' popularity grew over the next ten years. In the late 1930s, the U.S. military released the TL-122 which was a copy of the Eveready number 2697 designed for Boy Scouts. Then in 1939, Eveready updated the Boy Scout model giving it a brighter bulb, altered switch design, and nickel plating for improved durability. This was model number 8527. In the same year, the military released the TL-122A, a new model painted in dark colors to prevent glare. This is the model that went to war with U.S. troops in 1941.
The U.S. military issued the TL-122B flashlight made with Bakelite plastic in 1943. This light quickly became the new standard issue flashlight of the U.S. military and soldiers coyly nicknamed it “moonbeam." During the Vietnam War, several significant upgrades were made and introduced in the 1960s under model number MC-99/U.14 This new model was manufactured by Fulton Industries which continues to make it today.
In the post-war years, these various military models were sold as surplus. They were cheap, reliable, and versatile. Thanks to their popularity with the Boy Scouts and veterans, they were one of the most popular electric lights in backpacks. This can be seen in camping guides of the era such as The Golden Book of Camping published in 1959 by Gordon Lynn.
Earl Shaffer carried an electric flashlight on his long trek as the first person to complete a long-distance through-hike in 1948. It is possible that he used a surplus GI flashlight, although his gear list in his book does not specifically mention a flashlight. His diary, however, reveals he carried one.15
The TL-122 was more heavy-duty than many of its contemporaries. Most tubular flashlights made through the 1970s were constructed of metal. While metal construction provided sturdiness, it often made the flashlights susceptible to specific types of damage. The metal was frequently thin, easily bent, and prone to corrosion. As part of my research for this article, I purchased a flashlight made in the 1940s. When I showed it to my grandfather, I casually remarked, “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.” He replied, “Thank God!”
Some flashlights were heavy duty. Colin Fletcher mentions he carried a Ray-O-Vac Sportsman, which used C batteries. The Sportsman appeared in ads beginning around 1953 and was slightly more rugged than most models.16 It remained a popular model for over twenty years.
Fletcher also mentions a new all-plastic model he tested shortly before publishing The Complete Walker in 1968. This model, called the Mallory (below), had a rectangular body powered by 2 AA batteries. He acknowledges that the larger C- and D-powered lights of the day were better for nighttime trail travel, but the Mallory was one of the lightest options and performed well in camp and tent. The Mallory became quite popular among backpackers through the 1970s.17
Fletcher reports the Sportsman would last one and a half hours on standard carbon-zinc batteries. This was quite short for a multiday trip. Some campers continued to carry candle lanterns for use in tents because they offered a good combination of low weight and long burn time. A flashlight and candle lantern were a common midcentury light strategy for solo hikers or small parties in lieu of a liquid fuel lantern.
Not everyone desired the higher weight of C and D battery-powered lights. Even before the Mallory, penlights were widely available and some backpackers found these sufficient when carrying a candle too. The 1962 book All About Camping recommends only a penlight and a candle in its packing lists, no other light source.
There were also electric lamps and lanterns available. Some chose to carry them whether for safety or convenience. Electric lanterns have been around since the 1910s. Eveready produced one of the first which was a kerosene lantern body with a lightbulb and battery compartment in the bottom rather than a wick and fuel tank.18 Electric lanterns were most frequently used in situations where they did not need to be carried far on foot. This is less to do with total weight and more to do with the light-to-weight ratio as the weight of available models was roughly similar.
Flame lanterns provided more light output per pound of weight compared to their electric counterparts. Additionally, batteries are more susceptible to cold temperatures than fuel. Modern batteries are better but still have this same limitation. Research by Phil Harris at classicpressurelamps.com indicates a typical tungsten filament incandescent bulb emits about 1.25 Candlepower (CP) per watt, although this could vary depending on many factors.
During the 1960s, an average electric lantern used a bulb of around 0.75 to 1.5 watts, such as the Mazda number 27. Using this conversion, a battery lantern from that era may have emitted less than 2 CP. Research from voltlighting.com and the Federal Trade Commission website suggests that a typical tungsten filament bulb produces about 15 lumens per watt. That means these lanterns were only producing about 20-25 lumens total.
Ads for the single-mantle Coleman lanterns claim they produce around 150 CP and around 400 lumens. Thus, it is easy to see why flame lanterns were the first choice for backpacking. This also explains why directional electric lanterns were more common than omnidirectional ones as the limited light output could be concentrated where desired.
The Eveready Dalphin (left) is a very influential model of a directional electric lantern. It was first introduced in 1967 as an orange, waterproof, floating, lantern with an all-plastic construction. It used a large battery like other electric lanterns of the era to increase run time. A couple of years later, the color was changed to yellow and has remained so ever since. Over the years, it has been improved and updated and still has a following more than 50 years later, thanks to its high durability and low cost.19
Eveready introduced the first mass-market fluorescent lantern in 1968. Fluorescent tubes are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, meaning they could produce more light. These lanterns gained some popularity among campers. From the 1970s to the early 00s, Coleman and various other brands also produced fluorescent lanterns.
Some of the first mass-market heavy-duty and water-resistant flashlights went on sale in the 1970s. Kel-Lite was one of the pioneers in this category. MagLite models hit stores in 1979 and quickly gained a widespread reputation for durability. One of its main advantages over Kel-Lite was its adjustable focus beam. Additionally, MagLites had rubber-protected switches, making them less susceptible to water damage than previous mass-market models.
In 1984, the Mini MagLite revolutionized personal flashlights. Unlike the Kel-Lite and prior MagLite models, which were large and heavy because they ran on C- or D-size batteries, the Mini MagLite was made from milled aluminum, used two AA batteries, producing approximately 5-8 lumens of light. It was also waterproof and it a unique twist-on mechanism instead of a traditional switch. This meant it was truly waterproof, at least to a couple of feet.
The Mini Mag, as it came to be known, quickly became a favorite among backpackers. Accessories arose, such as a head strap, to make it even more versatile. The Mini Mag enjoyed widespread popularity for decades as a favorite among campers, rescue personnel, and national park rangers alike.20 Additionally, in the 1980s and 90s, it became popular as a weapon-mounted light with U.S. special forces, including those involved in the Battle of Mogadishu, popularized by the film Black Hawk Down.21 The Mini MagLite was truly a lightbulb moment in the annals of personal lighting.
As the 1970s turned into the 1980s plastic gradually displaced metal in most flashlight bodies. This shift was often to lower production costs rather than to improve the product. Plastic did have some benefits. For instance, it was not as cold to the touch when camping in chilly weather. The primitive plastic of the era often resulted in fragile flashlights that struggled to withstand frequent use.
The popularity of heavy-duty lights like MagLite compelled other manufacturers to improve the durability of their products. Some companies remedied this by adding a rubber casing around the plastic housing, like a rubberized cellphone case. Notably, Coleman made a few popular models with this approach including the Armor Clad flashlights in the 1980s and 90s, and Ray-O-Vac followed suit as well. Thankfully, plastic technology progressed and became much more durable, negating the need for a thick rubber layer.
In the 1990s, tough plastics enabled waterproof tubular lights to proliferate. Some were more lightweight than the Mini Mag. Ray Jardine favored the AA model of the Ray-O-Vac Roughneck, which was about half the weight with similar performance.22
Fernand Petzl invented a modern design for the outdoor recreation-focused headlight in the 1970s. He and his wife modified a mining headlamp by reducing the size of the battery pack. They mounted the lamp and battery pack to an elastic band, which was a garter Catherine found at a lingerie store. How French! It is unknown if these homemade models were sold widely. Petzl’s first mass-market headlamp, called the Zoom, came a few years later in 1981. It was specifically designed for caving and mountaineering, but backpackers also benefitted from the hands-free design. The Zoom was water-resistant and represented a significant advancement in headlamp design.
Electric headlamps had been around for decades for both mining and recreational use. However, the limited battery technology meant large and heavy batteries. The batteries were so large they were mounted on a hip belt or in a pocket. One example is a the Hedlite model by Barney & Berry sold in the 1920s. While some backpackers lugged these into the wilderness, most preferred the more common tubular handheld variety.
Headlights were more of a specialty item used for mountaineering, fishing, and other sports that always demanded two hands. Petzl’s light was an upgrade as it used lighter batteries allowing the battery pack to be mounted on the head strap, eliminating a cord running to the hip belt that could get caught easily. Although, headlamps had some popularity among backpackers during the latter half of the twentieth century, tubular lights remained the dominant choice for several more decades.
In the early 2000s, a remarkable technological innovation illuminated the world: white LED bulbs. These bulbs significantly improved energy efficiency, enabling the use of smaller batteries and extending runtimes, making them a powerful ally in the fight against darkness. Another key advantage of LED bulbs is their longevity; they can last for thousands of hours, unlike traditional bulbs that typically last only dozens of hours.
LEDs had been around for decades as small blue, red, and yellow lights, commonly found in compact flashlights used for reading maps or books. However, the invention of white LEDs presented a challenge for engineers for many years. In the late 1990s, there were a few white LED tubular lights available, but they were primarily the size of penlights and lacked the brightness needed for trail use.
Finally, in 2000, Princeton Tec, a company known for its dive watches and flashlights, debuted the Matrix model (left). This is believed to be the first mass-produced headlamp with LEDs. The model was waterproof and featured three high-output white LEDs. Although lumen ratings were not advertised routinely until a few years later, it has been estimated that the Matrix emitted about 25-35 lumens in total. While this is poor by modern standards, it was truly impressive for the time, especially considering it only needed two AA batteries. The real selling point for most consumers was the increased battery life. When using alkaline batteries, older technology, it lasted up to 40 hours. With more expensive lithium batteries, it lasted 90-100 hours. The days of carrying spare batteries and bulbs were numbered, at least for weekend trips. The Matrix model retailed for $49.99.23
When this model was first released, headlamps only accounted for a fraction of flashlight sales. However, thanks to the LED, headlamps have quickly closed the gap and now rank as a close second to traditional tubular style flashlights.24
The introduction of waterproof LED headlamps has established them as the preferred choice for trail lighting. Over the past twenty-five years, there have been significant improvements in LED and battery technology. A search on the REI website reveals that headlamps with light outputs of 350-400 lumens are available for around $50. The Petzl Tikka Core, for example, provides 450 lumens for $59.95. Most headlamps in the $20-30 price range offer 200-300 lumens, which is sufficient for trail use. Another advantage of LED technology is the ability to easily switch between output levels. Most flashlights come with 2 to 4 settings, with low settings around 7-10 lumens, medium settings around 100 lumens, and a maximum output for brighter needs. Additionally, many headlamps now come equipped with rechargeable lithium batteries, further enhancing their performance. The LED really flipped the switch on what a flashlight could be.
Lanterns also adopted LED technology, a bit more slowly. A truly ingenious innovation in lantern technology came in 2010 with the LuminAID inflatable LED lantern (below right) that could be recharged with a built-in solar panel. It was originally designed by Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta for deployment following natural disasters. The inflatable nature allowed more units to be delivered per shipping container.26
Backpackers quickly saw the benefits of an inflatable lantern and the LuminAID saw some popularity among backpackers and adventurers. However, another lantern with a similar design concept overcame its popularity. The Luci came on the market just two years later. It became the more popular option, thanks to clever to marketing. The most current model, the Pro 2.0, emits 150 lumens and can recharge from sunlight alone in twelve hours.
Lastly, I will mention the cellphone flashlight mode made possible by LED and lithium-ion battery technology. The LED flashlight mode was first introduced on the Nokia N90 in 2005 and later popularized on the Apple iPhone 4 (below). I have encountered backpackers who ventured into the great outdoors armed with no other light than their smartphone. Usually, they made this choice under the influence of ultralight philosophy. Why carry two flashlights?
As a result, the smartphone’s built-in flashlight will not replace the standalone light just yet. I admit that I do use my phone light a lot in camp. When inside the tent, I reach for the phone light more often than the flashlight. This practice is common among thru-hikers as well.
Perhaps in the future, we will see all these features will be packed into smart glasses. This could allow us to all leave our “heavy” headlamps at home and still have two hands to set up our tent or roast our marshmallows.
Honorable mention: In 2013, Ann Makosinski, a 15-year-old student, invented a flashlight with no power source. Her invention used only body heat transmitted from the hand holding the device to power the dim LEDs. This was a fascinating feat of engineering. However, it was not very practical as it only produced a maximum of 24 lumens and was sensitive to ambient temperature.27 It is an honorable mention because it has received much publicity inspiring future research and may represent the future of portable lights.
Advances in energy efficiency will continue to be made in the next 100 years. Future lights may be so efficient they never need recharging. They may be able to run on minuscule nuclear batteries or even ambient energy. Whatever the future holds, it will be bright.30
By David F. Garner
Disclaimer: this article primarily discusses influential technology within the United States.
Sources:
- William HH Murray, pg 172-173
- John M. Gould, How To Camp Out, 1877.
- Ladies Home Journal 1892-12 Vol 10 Iss 1 pg 38 see at Internet Archives. jeffcowiki.miraheze.org/wiki/Hitchcock_Lamp
- https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/backpacking-gear-changes-through-decades/
- https://www.google.com/books/edition/Trial_by_Trail/KMGyqfdrEbYC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=coleman+lantern+backpacking&pg=PA76&printsec=frontcover
- https://books.google.com/books?id=5d4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61&dq=campingaz+bivouac+270&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiW87GB87uKAxUGm7AFHS7nBA4Q6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=campingaz%20bivouac%20270&f=false pg 61
- https://archive.org/details/sim_ladies-home-journal_1915-04_32_4/page/n95/mode/2up?q=eveready
- https://books.google.com/books?id=Qt0cbt2XzGgC&pg=PA40&dq=No.+242+Coleman+Junior&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiru9T955iKAxU8STABHYWCFQ8Q6AF6BAgGEAI#v=onepage&q=No.%20242%20Coleman%20Junior&f=false
- (Flashlights pg 73)
- Ibid. (Flashlights pg 109)
- https://www.google.com/books/edition/Autocamping/lhbTaAHGFOYC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=flashlight pg 105
- https://archive.org/details/sim_outdoor-life_1916-06_37_6/page/586/mode/2up?q=eveready+tungsten+flashlight
- https://books.google.com/books?id=5qXQAAoGynwC&pg=PA35&dq=eveready+kerosene+lantern&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBgZXzzoqKAxXm5ckDHW8HKS8Q6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=eveready%20kerosene%20lantern&f=false see pg 35
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_MX991/U_Flashlight
- https://americanhistory.si.edu/documentsgallery/exhibitions/appalachian_trail_1.html
- https://archive.org/details/sim_progressive-farmer_1953-02_68_8 see pg 46
- The Complete Walker 1968 pg 221-225
- https://gotalight.net/lanterns.htm
- https://www.dolphintorches.com/about/
- https://www.google.com/books/edition/Teewinot/Sm5-lJmZAeQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=mini+maglite+war&pg=PA32&printsec=frontcover
- https://www.google.com/books/edition/Day_of_the_Rangers/8ThpDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=mini+maglite+black+hawk+down&pg=PT240&printsec=frontcover
- Ray Jardine, See his 1992 guide to hiking the PCT.
- https://princetontec.com/about-history/
- https://books.google.com/books?id=jpUs-DO5QkUC&pg=PA133&dq=headlamp+gaining+popularity&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj0wsbD85iKAxXCQTABHdCzFTsQ6AF6BAgMEAI#v=onepage&q=headlamp%20gaining%20popularity&f=false
- https://books.google.ie/books?id=3OEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA144&dq=LED+headlamp&hl=en&sa=X&ved=
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LuminAID?wprov=sfti1#
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/this-flashlight-is-powered-by-the-touch-of-your-hand-180950226/
- Fire and Ice Cream: A History of Making Happier Campers by Bruce Johnson and Keith Jackson, Industrial Revolutions Inc, 2022.
- "Gear We've Tried," Backpacker Magazine, June 1991, pg 68, accessed from https://books.google.com/books?id=geIDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&rview=1&lr=#v=onepage&q&f=false
- Tuan C. Nguyen, "This Flashlight Is Powered by the Touch of Your Hand," Smithsonian Magazine, March 24, 2014, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/this-flashlight-is-powered-by-the-touch-of-your-hand-180950226/
- Source of Coleman model years. https://intlccc.net/information/modelyear-reference/by-model/
