THE SHINING LIGHT: In 1901, W.C. Coleman's invention could illuminate the far corners of a barn. In 1915, the U.S. government declared the Coleman lantern an essential item of World War I, and more than 70,000 of them were distributed so farmers and workers could extend production hours. In the 1920s and ﾕ30s, the lanterns lit expeditions from the Sahara to the South Pole. Not long after the company's 100th anniversary, Coleman made its 60 millionth fuel lantern. Many sportsmen use models purchased by their grandfathers, but sales of new ones are on the increase.