Spotlight on the torch that started it all
It’s often said that necessity is the mother of invention — and that’s exactly how the Clulite got its start. You’re looking at our original lamp, which was conceived, designed, and built by our founder Gordon Clue. But back in the late 1960s, launching a business was the last thing on Gordon’s mind. All he wanted was a well-built, high-performing, and portable torch to use on his nighttime fishing trips. Unable to find anything that met his needs, Gordon decided to put his years of engineering apprenticeship to work, and he custom built exactly what he wanted.
Although Gordon based his vision on the humble motorcycle battery and headlight assembly, the lamp he created was, quite simply, revolutionary. It was unlike anything that existed at the time. To start with, it was powered by a 6-volt, non-spill lead acid battery that was rechargeable, so it could be used over and over again. No need for expensive disposable batteries that always seemed to die at the most inconvenient time. Gordon also housed his new light in a special non-corrosive plastic-coated, 18-gauge aluminium casing to protect it from the elements, so he could use it in all kinds of weather. And he made sure it was light enough to carry around easily.
That very first production run of one soon turned into batches of 20 lamps, Word had gotten out that there was something really special about Gordon’s invention, which was christened the “Clulite.” Those small batches sold out nearly as quickly as they were made, and the demand was now so great that Gordon was able to produce his first really large batch of 200 lamps. He and his wife, Cynthia, made all of their own transformers for those torches, winding the wire by hand at their kitchen table. Shortly afterward, Cluson Engineering was officially up and running.
And just in case you’re wondering — yes, that original lamp in the photo still works!