Why are my window switches staying on?

[auditude at get.net]

On 21 Mar 2002 at 17:30, Huw Powell wrote:
> 
> > You want to try something cool?  Leave your ignition off, turn the
> > headlights on, and then pull the "flash to pass" stick back.  This
> > will toggle what my friends and I call "phantom power" or something
> > (actually I forget what we called it).  You will have power for as
> > long as you hold back the stick.  Pretty cool.
> 
> No, running accessories off one terminal of the headlight switch will
> not be cool, it will be hot, and seriously hasten the demise of an
> already weak link in your cars wiring system.  This is not
> recommended!
> 
> > I don't know what would happen if you relayed your headlights.
> 
> It would still work, and still be unadvisable.

Does anyone know if this was a "feature" that was advertised, and for what purpose?

It sure is nice if you are waiting for the driver to return, but you have to roll the 
windows down or up for whatever reason (rain, heat, etc.)

Or, is this characteristic not a feature, but just some overlooked electrical circuit that 
gets created from this series of switch positions?  I'm curious about this now.

Thanks,

Ken