Kodak and its mission to make photography something for everybody. I wonder how many weekend photographer and relatives got burnt with this candid outfit for the "Amateur". I don't say that with criticism. I am sure that the intention was really good. But if we compare this lamp to the others like Agfa and Hamaphot (also in my Camera's Gallery) it is dramatic the lack of security one amateur would have to deal with. There is no handle, no clear way to firmly attach it to something and no shield to whatever would be in the neighborhood. All to make it fit in a small can and have it cheap (affordable) and ready for the enthusiasts. It is true that people in those days were able to walk on wet floor without being warned about it. They could ride a bicycle without a helmet and things like that. Actually I have the feeling that today we live longer and less at the same time.
Well, I never used this device. I am not planning to do it but I like to have it in my collection because it is kind of cute.

New info added on the 20h of May 2004:
Finally I got to know how this flash kit is supposed to work. I bought the manual for the Kodak Brownie Nš2 and surprisingly it has a section that features the Kodak Amateur Flash Outfit with clear instructions on how to take pictures with it. I still think it is too dangerous for nowadays standards. As you can see in the picture below the idea is to make like a handle with the can that fits to the... let us call it "spoon", put some powder on the larger part of that spoon and a lit match on the other side, hold by the V shaped slit. Then you lean the whole thing and the powder catches on fire. I don't like the idea of powder flowing loose while burning but OK, maybe it is safe in a way.

If you want to see pictures taken with flash powder, visit my AGFA flash lamp page.