Vest-Pocket Mazda?

[paulrace]

A reader writes:

Great writeup on the Mazda light bulb. I stumbled on your website while researching something. Remember the old Mills Brothers song from the 30s or 40s about the glow worm? One of the couplets in the last verse talks about a “vest pocket Mazda.” Since the song is about a glowing worm, I’m sure the reference is to a Mazda light bulb. Do you have any idea to what the words "vest pocket Mazda" might be referring? (I know they sometimes used non-sense words just for the sake of tempo and rhyme.) Thanks.

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That's kind of a head-scratcher. That said, 80 years ago, when somebody made something about the size of a pocket watch or cigarette lighter, they said it was "vest-pocket" sized.

Everready, who made Mazda lamps once advertised a "vest pocket" flashlight. I've attached an image from an early 1900s electrical magazine.

I wonder if these were more popular than I thought.

Best of luck - Paul

vest_pockeat_mazda_flashlight.jpg (31.65 KiB) Viewed 37926 times

[paulrace]

The reader replied:

Thanks for the quick reply. The vest pocket-size flashlight might be what the song is referring to. The song was written by Johnny Mercer, a very prolific songwriter of the thirties and forties. I found a Johnny Mercer Institute at the University of Georgia, and will send them an inquiry. Perhaps they have some notes or period commentary on the Glow Worm song that may explain the reference. I'll let you know.

[maria]

Enjoyed this post!