Answer :

Final answer:

A 'special flashing light' provides intense, brief illumination that can cover a large area and eliminate motion blur in photography or pump energy into lasers.

Explanation:

A "special flashing light" characteristic, such as those found in lighthouses or used during World War II for nighttime reconnaissance photographs, is that it provides a brief yet intense burst of light. This type of flash can cover a wide area and is capable of eliminating motion blur, as was necessary for aerial photographs taken from fast-moving aircraft. Additionally, these intense flash lamps are used to pump energy into lasers, rapidly energizing them so they can reemit the energy in another form.

For example, the light from lighthouses, as noted by traveller and photographer Alfred Henry Malan, can be quite striking, and is designed to emit a directional beam to warn ships away from dangerous coastlines. The light in these lighthouses often rotates to ensure the beam covers all directions and serves as an effective navigational aid for maritime travel.