History of the Flashlight

Flashlights on PSS

Thank goodness for flashlights ... and especially for 100+ years of product development!

Did you know ... the flashlight started as a portable lighting device that literally flashed because it could not produce a steady stream of light?!

Here's the brief history...

In 1879 Thomas Edison invented and patented the first carbon filament electric lightbulb.

In 1898 a 'dry' cell battery was invented.

Around that time Conrad Hubert combined a brass reflector and a light bulb with a 'dry' cell battery - to create the first modern flashlight device.

He made those early flashlights (by hand) and passed them out to New York City Policemen, who gave the product great reviews!  This reminds us of the New Yorker fire helmets being first used in NYC!

Here we are 100 years later, talking about:

• Incandescent lighting vs LED
• Lumens and Candela
• Beam distance
• Battery life
• Headlamps
• Weapon mounts
• Streamlight vs Pelican vs Surefire vs UK vs Others

We happen to primarily sell Streamlight at Public Safety Stores.

But regardless of which flashlight you carry, I'm sure you are thankful for its usefulness!

History of New Yorker Fire Helmet

Bullard Fire Helmets on PSS

In 1740 Jacobus Turck built the first fire cap, in NYC.  The cap had a wide brim and a tall crown.

In 1824 Mathew Dubois made a key improvement.  He added a metal wire to the brim of the cap for more strength and stiffness.

But in 1836 H.T. Gratacap - a successful luggage maker and FDNY volunteer firefighter - built the first "New Yorker" fire helmet.

Mr Gratacap was a manufacturer of unique luggage for ocean transit.  In order for his luggage to withstand wetness without rotting, he used specially treated leather.  This leather treatment also made his luggage exceptionally durable.

With this product knowledge, and his experience as a firefighter, Mr Gratacap then built the first leather New Yorker fire helmet.

The original structure had 4 leather combs (segments that were stitched together).  Soon it had 8 combs, then 12, then 16, and sometimes more.  One of his best features was the long duckbill in the back of the helmet which prevented water from running down a firefighter's neck.

Mr Gratacap later added a frontpiece with raised, stitched lettering and an eagle holder which attached to the frontpiece.

177 years later, the New Yorker-style is still widely used and very popular.  It is also called the Traditional fire helmet, and is now available with a few modern options:

• Ear covers
• Chinstrap
• Goggles
• Faceshield
• TrakLite lighting

Today there are several great helmet manufacturers.  We happen to carry Bullard Fire Helmets at Public Safety Stores.  Let us know if you have questions.

Happy New Year!  We know you have a stressful job, so we wish you all the best in 2013!!