Help me id what I have. Lightningpak?

psychohellbilly666 · August 28, 2010, 03:58 PM

I was cleaning out my moms garage of my stored stuff and cam across an olive green package labeled Lightningpak. I was unable to locate any info online about this other than by the patent number 1901313. It would seem that it is some sort of heating device and by the color and design of the pack I am gussing military issue or used. It shows was made by rose derry company in newton mass. Any thoughts on date and value would be helpful.

USAF_Vet · August 28, 2010, 05:35 PM

Found this, seems like what you might have.

http://www.newtonma.gov/jackson/pdf-files/fall2006.pdf
Look on page 4 of the PDF.

Almost sounds like a mutilpurpose predecessor to the MRE heater packs. The Navy used something like this to help keep deep sea divers warm underwater. This seems like it could be used as a heat compress, foot warmer, or a multitude of other things. Kinda neat.

check this out, near the bottom of the page. Not a lot of info out there though.

http://www.harogmbh.de/NATO.html

**Mike Irwin** · August 28, 2010, 06:53 PM

Google "lightningpak heating pad" and you'll come up with a few hits.

They were chemical heating pads. Apparently they were used by the military during World War II, primarily by the medical corps.

There are a number of chemicals that, when dry, release heat when exposed to water.

When the chemicals are dried out, adding water again will repeat the process.

Mike40-11 · August 29, 2010, 05:32 PM

Yeah, reusable chemical heat pads. I still have a couple left from when I was a medic in the late 80's so they were still around then. Pour in a little water and they stay hot for 5 or 6 hours.

August 28, 2010, 03:58 PM	#1
psychohellbilly666 Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Princeton, IN Posts: 320	Help me id what I have. Lightningpak? I was cleaning out my moms garage of my stored stuff and cam across an olive green package labeled Lightningpak. I was unable to locate any info online about this other than by the patent number 1901313. It would seem that it is some sort of heating device and by the color and design of the pack I am gussing military issue or used. It shows was made by rose derry company in newton mass. Any thoughts on date and value would be helpful.

August 28, 2010, 06:53 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Google "lightningpak heating pad" and you'll come up with a few hits. They were chemical heating pads. Apparently they were used by the military during World War II, primarily by the medical corps. There are a number of chemicals that, when dry, release heat when exposed to water. When the chemicals are dried out, adding water again will repeat the process. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 28, 2010, 05:35 PM	#2
USAF_Vet Member Join Date: August 24, 2010 Posts: 63	Found this, seems like what you might have. http://www.newtonma.gov/jackson/pdf-files/fall2006.pdf Look on page 4 of the PDF. Almost sounds like a mutilpurpose predecessor to the MRE heater packs. The Navy used something like this to help keep deep sea divers warm underwater. This seems like it could be used as a heat compress, foot warmer, or a multitude of other things. Kinda neat. check this out, near the bottom of the page. Not a lot of info out there though. http://www.harogmbh.de/NATO.html

August 29, 2010, 05:32 PM	#4
Mike40-11 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 842	Yeah, reusable chemical heat pads. I still have a couple left from when I was a medic in the late 80's so they were still around then. Pour in a little water and they stay hot for 5 or 6 hours.