Nestled in the top, of a Zippo type lighter, or caddy for disposables, an array of polished aluminium vanes can be splayed into a rude parabolic reflector with the flick of a small lever or button, providing the user with an optimized beam for illumination.
The advanced version suspends a bit of Calcium Oxide at the focal point and yes, the lighter resembles as a small green pebble-textured spheroid: how did you know ?-- FlyingToaster, Oct 22 2012 Carbide lamp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbide_lampSomething like this? [CraigD, Oct 23 2012] not really, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limelightmore like this. [FlyingToaster, Oct 23 2012, last modified Oct 24 2012] This would work, but poorly. [0]-- sqeaketh the wheel, Oct 23 2012 Use a thin array of mylar for the reflector and it will be a lighter lighter lighter.-- AusCan531, Oct 23 2012 //but poorly//
Actually I think it would work quite well: nothing compared to a 6-led electric of course, but certainly better than the older incandescent 2 D-cell flashlight. The parabolic focal locus would be the white/yellow part of the flame.-- FlyingToaster, Oct 23 2012 Basically a small kerosene lantern.-- rcarty, Oct 23 2012 The barges delivering [AusCan]'s special order would be lighter lighter lighter lighters.-- pocmloc, Oct 23 2012 If the Zippo had a 1000cc fuel tank to allow illumination for longer durations, it would be a litre lighter lighter.-- 8th of 7, Oct 23 2012 Make the vanes from magnesium and it would be a brighter, whiter, lighter lighter. Might not last very long though.-- mitxela, Oct 23 2012 [sqeak] there, better ?-- FlyingToaster, Oct 23 2012 If someone came along at the end of a riot and stole one of these that had the 1000cc magnesium fuel tank, would he be a later lighter litre lighter lighter looter?-- 8th of 7, Oct 23 2012 and if he stuck around awhile he'd be a later lighter litre lighter lighter looter loiterer.-- FlyingToaster, Oct 23 2012 Could be fueled with a mixture of caustic soda and bitumen...-- pocmloc, Oct 23 2012 [FT], OK, I admit this does work, especially with the added Calcium Oxide, although its a bit of a lightweight idea.-- sqeaketh the wheel, Oct 23 2012 ^ of course that model only comes as a small green spheroid.-- FlyingToaster, Oct 23 2012 ... making it a Limelight Lime Lighter.
While I doubt there'd be an efficiency gain compared to LED/rechargeable, I wonder if overall it'd be better than an incandescent/primary-battery.
(granted a bit o/t the post which is a just a doohickey for using a pocket lighter to find the keys you dropped)-- FlyingToaster, Oct 24 2012 Two men are floating without oars or any other means of propulsion in a boat out in the middle of the ocean. They go through their supplies and discover 3 cigarettes but no means of ignition.
After a brief discussion, they decide to throw one of the cigarettes overboard and successfully enjoy a final smoke having lit their cigarettes using the boat, which since their jettisoning of the spare item has become a cigarette lighter.-- zen_tom, Oct 24 2012 Also, as a bonus, they saw that the third cigarette had lit on the water!-- pocmloc, Oct 24 2012 [zen_tom], [pocmloc]
<silence> . . . . .... @ ..... @ ..... @ ..... . . <bell in abandoned adobe church clangs in wind> . .
Apparently there's a comedy double act on at some point. Let us know when they show up ...-- 8th of 7, Oct 24 2012 [8th of 7] are those your tumbleweeds? You want to keep them on a leash - they'll cause an accident if you're not careful!-- zen_tom, Oct 24 2012 random, halfbakery