When I used “breathalyzer” in this post my Spidey sense told me it was probably a brand name that I should capitalize. I looked it up and sure enough, it’s a proper name that should be capitalized. The surprise was that it was originally a Smith & Wesson product.
A breathalyzer (a portmanteau of breath and analyzer) is a device for estimating blood alcohol content (BAC) from a breath sample. “Breathalyzer” is the brand name of a series of models made by one manufacturer of these instruments (originally Smith and Wesson[1], later it was sold to National Draeger), but has become a genericized trademark for all such instruments.[citation needed] In Canada, a preliminary non-evidentiary screening device can be approved by Parliament as an approved screening device and an evidentiary breath instrument can be similarly designated as an approved instrument. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a “Conforming Products List” of breath alcohol devices approved for evidentiary use, [2] as well as for preliminary screening use.[3]
I sort of doubt S&W manufactured it in house since it’s pretty far away from their competency. On the other hand I’m not surprised at all they would have marketed and sold it. With their reach into the law enforcement market S&W has marketed all sorts of things over the years with their brand name, from handcuffs to identi-kits for creating police sketches of suspects. Again with the Wikipedia:
Smith & Wesson markets gun accessories, handcuffs, safes, apparel, collectibles, knives, tools, air guns, and myriad other products under its brand name, including cologne and handbags.
In October 2002, Smith & Wesson announced it had entered into a licensing agreement with Cycle Source Group to produce a line of bicycles designed by and for law enforcement. These bicycles feature custom configurations and silent hubs ( for ‘stealth’ cycling ), and are available for purchase by ‘civilians’.[17][18]
Smith & Wesson flashlights are available to the general public. They are designed and produced by PowerTech, Inc, in Collierville, Tennessee. Smith & Wesson also has a line of wood pellet grills. They are named after various pistol cartridges, such as .22 Magnum, .38 Special, .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, and .500 Magnum.
Smith & Wesson has entered into a licensing agreement with North Carolina based Wellco Enterprises to design and distribute a full line of tactical law enforcement footwear.[19] The Smith & Wesson Footwear range is available in the UK exclusively via the police and security equipment supplier, CopShopUK Ltd.[20]
That’s what the world needs – Smith & Wesson cologne.
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I’ve also got a S&W branded watch. Pretty sure they don’t make it themselves.
The fun thing about it, and the only reason I bought it, is it uses Tritium bulbs, for lack of a better word, to designate the hours. So, it glows in the dark like a night-sight would even when not exposed to the sun.
Kinda handy, actually.
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