Headlamp Technology

[Caveman77]

A photo taken five years before the invention of lightweight portable batteries:

http://www.shorpy.com/node/29?size=_original

 

[LittleBear]

YIKES!!!

 

[roadtripper]

Where can I get one of those?

 

[RoySwkr]

I still have a carbide headlamp although I haven't used it in years, they were in general use among cavers until the 1970s

One advantage over electric is that they generate heat which can be useful in cold-weather camping or damp caves

 

[TCD]

It's also a very neat and unusual fuel technology. I've always thought these were "cool," even though I've never owned one!

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

I still have a carbide headlamp although I haven't used it in years, they were in general use among cavers until the 1970s

One advantage over electric is that they generate heat which can be useful in cold-weather camping or damp caves

I used carbide lamps regularly in the 90's in France for spelunking. One other advantage was that if you have access to water which is often the case in caves you have a nearly unending supply of gas and light. Be careful, though, when climbing that you don't burn your hand.