Zaklamp

Zaklamp is the Dutch term for a small, portable electric light powered by batteries, used to illuminate dark areas. The word combines zak, meaning pocket, with lamp, and is widely used in the Netherlands and Flanders to refer to what English speakers call a flashlight or torch.

The concept of portable electric lighting emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the development of dry-cell batteries and practical electric lamps. In Dutch-speaking regions, the term zaklamp became standard for compact hand-held lights as household and consumer goods popularized portable illumination.

Modern zaklampen are typically compact and cylindrical, designed to be carried in a pocket or bag. The dominant technology is the light-emitting diode (LED), favored for efficiency and longevity. Light output is measured in lumens and models range from a few lumens for utility use to several thousand lumens for outdoor or professional applications. Power sources vary from disposable alkaline batteries and zinc–carbon cells to rechargeable lithium-ion or nickel–metal hydride cells, with USB-rechargeable designs increasingly common.

Design features vary by use: on/off switches, multiple brightness levels, focus or beam-shaping mechanisms, waterproof or ruggedized housings, and portability-enhancing accessories such as clips or lanyards. Zaklampen are used in everyday carry, camping, work tasks in dark environments, emergency kits, and professional fields including maintenance and safety.

See also: flashlight, torch, portable light.