Headlamp (outdoor)

A headlamp, headlight, or head torch (UK) is a light source affixed to the head typically for outdoor activities at night or in dark conditions such as caving, orienteering, hiking, skiing, backpacking, camping, mountaineering or mountain biking.

[citation needed] Incandescent bulbs were used in headlamps until the introduction of white LEDs of sufficient brightness, with much lower power consumption and lifespan.

Battery-powered headlamps with incandescent bulbs were used until the advent of LED lamps with much higher efficiency and consequently longer battery life.

[citation needed] These included features such as spring-loaded contacts to automatically disconnect broken bulbs.

[4] Head lamps approved for use in coal mines are designed not to allow an internal spark to ignite flammable gas surrounding the headlamp.

Headlamp attached to a helmet
Coal miners wearing headlamps in 1946. At the end of the shift the lamps would be checked into the lamp house for recharging and maintenance.
Halogen headlamp primarily used for night orienteering with separate battery case and lamp
LED headlamp with batteries and lamp combined