When I was a kid, one of my friends’ dads was a cop. As a result, I was privy to all sorts of second hand cop lore and small-town gossip. It was at this time that I got my first peek into the world of flashlight enthusiasts. And it was also when I was introduced to the Maglite.
Although he was born in the United States, a young Anthony Maglica returned with his family to Croatia. Tony returned to the U.S. in the 1950s, and settled in Ontario, California. After working in a machine shop for some time, he managed to buy a lathe of his own and went to work for himself. By 1974, he incorporated Mag Instruments. In 1979, he initroduced the first Maglite and set a new standard for reliable, well-built flashlights. If you have a minute, read the inspiring story from the Maglite website.
Now, first one that I saw was the big, 4D battery weaponized one. Some people like this one because it’s like carrying a baseball bat that throws light out of one end. Personally, I’m kind of a 2D guy myself. I also like the 2AA unit because it can be attached to a headband and used hands-free. This is great when you are fixing your computer, or you are under the car, or exploring the spooky crawlspace or whatever. Just don’t let your neightbors see you.
When I was a kid, a flashlight was a flashlight to me. In many ways, it still is. But I have no patience for a bad flashlight.