Abstract: A rotary switch and a flashlight incorporating same are described. A cylindrical housing encloses a button-type battery cell and provides a grounded inwardly protruding, inwardly biased resilient wiper. A rotor, movably approximated to the housing, has a generally cylindrical hub defining one or more contact areas on its side surface for selectively electrically connecting a bulb or other device to the battery cell by rotating the rotor relative to the housing. The rotor further defines a retaining tooth which engages a retaining groove on the outer surface of the housing to keep the rotor on the housing. Rotational position is stabilized by cooperation between a the wiper and a contact surface or between the rotor shell and a position key formed on the housing. The rotor hub is configured to house a circuit module for interposing desired electrical functions between the bulb and the battery cell.