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Object Timeline

-0001

1998

  • We acquired this object.

  • Work on this object began.

2006

2007

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Taxi Wand Flashlight

This is a flashlight. It was designed by Evan Gappelberg and Christopher Carruthers and manufactured by Taxiwand, Inc.. It is dated 1998 and we acquired it in 1998. Its medium is molded plastic, led. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Accompanied by the tagline “Hail without fail,” the Taxi Wand flashlight promoted itself as the “NYC Official Taxicab Hailing Device.” This specialty flashlight was designed to be held in an outstretched hand, in the direction of oncoming traffic, and to flash a bright red LED light in order to hail a taxi safely and effectively. Its yellow color and checkered banding was inspired by New York City taxi cab livery of the period.

This object was donated by Julia A. Haiblen. It is credited Gift of Julia A. Haiblen.

  • Grip Flashlight
  • silicone rubber, led light source.
  • Gift of George R. Kravis II.
  • 2012-20-1
  •
  • Sketch For Pencilite (USA)
  • pencil on paper.
  • Joseph B. Friedman Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American....
  • 14.2012.135
  •

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

  • Mini-Maglite Flashlight
  • machined anodized aluminum alloy, krypton lightbulb.
  • Gift of Max and Barbara Pine.
  • 1994-59-14

Its dimensions are

H x diam.: 12.6 x 2 cm (4 15/16 x 13/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Taxi Wand Flashlight; Designed by Christopher Carruthers, Evan Gappelberg; Manufactured by Taxiwand, Inc.; USA; molded plastic, led; H x diam.: 12.6 x 2 cm (4 15/16 x 13/16 in.); Gift of Julia A. Haiblen; 1998-39-1-a,b

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition IDEO Selects: Works from the Permanent Collection.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18667135/ |title=Taxi Wand Flashlight |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=6 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>