The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
1087.2013.1
Swiss Pilot Headtorch
02/07/2013
Hermione Cooper
02/07/2013
Headtorch attached to foam backed leather strap and battery case.
metal,perspex, foam, leather, plastic
torch diameter 6cms battery case 8.5(l) x 6(w) x3(d) cms
1
"PILOT" on headtorch "REUGE 75" on inside of battery case. A Swiss Cross embossed on outside of case.
brown, tan, green
Possibly Reuge
Switzerland
The introduction of Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) in the 1990's revolutionised the way head torches were designed. Not only did the bulbs/diodes give more light, they also required less battery power to do so and when this was coupled with increased battery efficiency, torches and headlamps became smaller, lighter and much more efficient - they also became more expensive!
In the wake of this lighting revolution, great piles of torches of all descriptions became redundant almost overnight. Instead of creeping about in the dim, yellow light of yesteryear, the mountains were flooded with vast pools of white light.
The legacy for the collector was that the old style headlamps were sold off and we've got a fabulous example here in the collection which seems to be ex Swiss Army and probably dates from the 1980's, though it doesn't look like it's ever been used. It has all the hallmarks of the swiss; excellent materials, solid construction and functional design. REUGE 75 is stamped on the inside of the battery case which gives us a possible clue to the manufacturer and maybe date of manufacturer.
Mick Tighe bought this particular one on the internet for £12.00 in 2013.
Donated by Mick Tighe
02/07/2013
02/07/2013
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
02/07/2013