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Spinoff story

Five Year Flashlight

A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.

About this technology

Overview

The five year flashlight, developed under NASA contract by Chromally American Corp., has a shelf life of at least that long because there is no power drain on batteries when flashlight is not in use. Light has long shelf life and assured reliability in case needed in an emergency. Reliability was designed into flashlight by means of a unique switch. Instead of the customary thumb button, five year light is turned on by rotating its collar to make contact with battery terminal; the turning motion wipes away any corrosion that might be present, makes contact virtually certain. It is sold for car, home industrial, police, firefighting, recreational and a variety of other uses.