“You don’t realize how dark dark is ’til you’re in here and the power goes out. Like, it’s so black, you just, you see nothing.”
Wayne Byrne, Diefenbunker Control/Machine Room Operator, 1958–1961; 1967–1983
A light in the darkness
Deep beneath the surface of Carp, Ontario, the Diefenbunker was built to withstand the worst-case scenario: a nuclear attack on Canada’s capital. But inside this massive underground complex, one of the most pressing everyday threats is far simpler — complete and utter darkness. In a facility with no windows and reliant on electric lighting, a power outage could plunge the entire bunker into total blackness. That’s where the Big Beam No. 287EX flashlight came in. Even with emergency power systems in place, this heavy-duty flashlight was an essential backup — a small but powerful safeguard in a place built for worst-case scenarios.
The Big Beam: Built for the Bunker
Manufactured by U-C Lite Manufacturing Co. of Chicago in the 1960s, the Big Beam No. 287EX flashlight was specially engineered for hazardous environments. It could safely operate in areas with flammable gases like propane or gasoline — making it ideal for industrial zones and, more importantly, for the Diefenbunker’s subterranean environment.
In the event of a nuclear attack on Canada, the Diefenbunker would have served as the government’s emergency command center. It was important that the conditions in the bunker were optimal to ensure the continuity of government operations. These flashlights would have been more than a convenience in the bunker; they would have been a lifeline — guiding personnel through pitch-black corridors during outages and supporting safe evacuation if needed. Strategically positioned cubbies throughout the bunker were designed to hold the flashlights when in use, providing easy access during power failures to ensure safe passage through the vast, windowless underground facility.
One tool, many years of service
One such flashlight in the museum’s collections belonged to Pierre Remillard, a dedicated Building Operations worker who served in the Diefenbunker from 1960 to 1994. He helped build the bunker and later worked within it while it was operational. For staff like Pierre, who worked deep within the bunker’s mechanical heart, reliable lighting was essential. In a space full of humming equipment and moving parts, where safety was paramount and light was limited, Pierre’s Big Beam was a constant companion — reliable, rugged, and always ready. Pierre’s oral history sheds more light on his time at the Diefenbunker.
A symbol of Cold War preparedness
More than just a flashlight, the Big Beam represents the practical, behind-the-scenes efforts that powered the Diefenbunker’s mission. It reminds us that surviving the unthinkable wasn’t just about concrete walls and secure communications — it was about having the right tools, in the right place, at the right time.
This seemingly simple device now serves as a reminder of the people who worked tirelessly below ground to protect a nation above.