I had a bright idea today . . .

. . . It came to me in a flash while I was wondering how to continue my nostalgic ramble without showing yet another camera, when I remembered that I had in my toy box this relic left over from the last batch of Photoflux flashbulbs I was using until electronic flash became more reliable and smaller in size than the earlier heavy and noisy lead-acid accumulator powered Mecablitz, Dawes Portaflash, et al.

That was around the late 1950s I think, but I little imagined then that we might one day have units small enough to be built into a camera, powered by a tiny battery and ready for the next exposure in less than a second, unlike the 30-seconds wait typical of the earlier types.

But even that was faster than one could remove a spent Photoflux bulb after its single use and replace it with a fresh one, risking burnt fingers every time because the immense heat produced not only consumed the mass of fine fuse wire inside the bulb at white heat, but also melted the shellac exterior coating designed to reduce the risk of flying fragments of glass. But there were still some accidents of course, notably one I remember at a prestigious fund-raising event when a photo-call for the ceremony of 'Stirring the Christmas Pudding' was marred more than somewhat when an exploding flashbulb added glass fragments to the mix, and the personal experience and discomfort of being rushed to hospital on another occasion for the removal of glass heat-welded to my right hand!  

But that was all part of the excitement of the game which contributed to the rich memories of those pre-digital  'hands-on' years.  (Another of these bulbs can be seen in my avatar.)


My Extra today:  Early magnolia in Ipswich, where I had lunch today thanks to a neighbour who kindly agreed to escort me on the bus because I am still feeling a little shaken from my recent fall.  The sight of spring blossom and taste of fresh (but chilly) air worked wonders!