Picture this: a summer camping trip in the Rockies, a late-night power outage during a Midwest thunderstorm, or searching for holiday decorations in the attic. What do all these moments have in common? A trusty flashlight. But have you ever wondered when the flashlight was invented and how it became such an essential part of American life? The answer takes us back to the late 19th century—right here in the United States. The Invention of the Flashlight: A Brief History The Birth of Portable Light in America The flashlight was invented in 1899 by Conrad Hubert , a Russian immigrant who moved to the U.S. Hubert, along with inventor David Misell, created the first portable, battery-powered light in New York. At the time, these lights were called “flash lights” because early batteries and bulbs could only emit light in quick flashes before dimming. Why the U.S. Was the Perfect Place for Innovation The late 1800s was an era of rapid American innovation: Thomas Edison had already introd...