Lamp Basics Compiled.Pdf

Lamp Basics

Lost-in-Time Museum Lamp Fuel

One of the earliest types of lamp fuel was animal tallow, usually rendered from beef or mutton fat. Normally solid at room temperatures, it had to be heated to stay liquid.

Lamp designs began to emerge in the late 1700’s using lighter fluids, which could travel vertically up a wick and produce a brighter, more efficient light. Whale oil, already used in candle making, was found to be an excellent oil for this new type of lamp. As the market grew, prices for whale oil soared.

Burning fluid and camphene, two substitutes for whale oil, were used as early as the 1830’s, but were dangerous due to their flammability. Their use became obsolete as kerosene became more affordable.

Kerosene, first produced in 1846 by distilling cannel coal, was commonly referred to as ‘coal oil’. The word "Kerosene", a registered trademark in 1854, eventually became a generic name used by all refiners. While safer and cleaner than burning fluids and camphene, it was expensive and not affordable to the everyday consumer.

Kerosene distilled from petroleum revolutionized the lamp fuel market. As production methods became more efficient in the 1860’s, this new type of kerosene, which produced a brighter and cleaner light, gradually became the fuel source used by the general populace.

An improved distribution network for natural gas and electricity, along with the technological advancements they made possible, led to the end of kerosene as a primary fuel source. Kerosene is now mainly used for residential heating and as an additive for insecticides and aviation fuel.

Grease Lamps Time-Period: 1600’s to later 1800’s

Two early American examples are the Crusie and Betty lamps. Commonly called grease lamps, any fuel such as grease, animal fat, tallow, fish oil, or vegetable oil could be used. The lamp was made of iron, forged by a blacksmith. A wick, usually made of twisted cloth or cotton yarn, was laid in the fuel with one end protruding out along a spout or channel. Most lamps would be hung by a chain and halberd.

The Cruise lamp resembles the open-style clay oil lamps which have been used for thousands of years. Two drawbacks to this type of lamp design were the smoke produced from a burning wick lying on the open fuel, and a wick that absorbed fuel faster than the flame could consume it, causing excess fuel to drip over the edge of the lamp.

A Phoebe lamp is a Crusie lamp with two reservoirs. The lower reservoir is used to catch the dripping fluid from the upper reservoir, preventing it from flowing over the lamp’s edge.

The Betty lamp (German for “to make better”) commonly used from the 1700’s through the 1800’s, was an improved Crusie lamp. A cover added to the reservoir held in heat which helped to keep the fuel liquid and limited the amount of smoke developed by the flame. A wick holder was included in the spout to direct oil drippings back into the lamp.

The Ipswich Betty, usually made of tin with a handle and flat bottom, was a portable or surface lamp, rather than a hanging lamp.

Whale Oil Lamps Time-Period: 1780’s to mid-1860’s

American harvesting of whale (sperm and baleen) oil averaged from nine to almost thirteen million gallons per year from the 1830’s into the 1850’s, peaking at eighteen million gallons in 1845. Whale oil had widespread uses, but the primary market during the peak years was lamp fuel.

Whale oil burner design places the flame close to the burner and extends the wick holders down into the fuel supply. This design transfers heat into the oil and keeps the otherwise thick fuel thin enough to travel up the wick. Whale oil produced a flame equivalent to about two candles.

Burning Fluid Lamps Time-Period: 1834 to mid-1860’s

The first alcohol lamp patent was filed in 1834. Two fuel types most often used in alcohol lamps were: burning fluid (a mixture of alcohol and turpentine), and camphene (a highly refined turpentine). The name ‘camphene’ became synonymous with both types of fuel. Annual production averaged 90 million gallons in 1850, compared to peak whale oil production of 18 million gallons in 1845. Up to 80% of consumer alcohol production was used in the manufacture of burning fluids.

These new fuels produced a cleaner, brighter flame than whale oil and were less expensive. Flammability however was an issue. This was partially solved by allowing this thinner liquid to travel further up an extended wick, placing the flame, and the heat it produced, far away from the fuel source. Unlike whale oil burners, the wick holders were not extended into the fuel. Caps, or ‘snuffers’ were provided to extinguish the flame, as blowing on the flame could cause a blowtorch effect.

Kerosene Lamps Time-Period: 1859 to present day

Petroleum based kerosene progressively became affordable and available through advancements in oil-well extraction and petroleum distillation methods. Thinner than whale oil and less flammable than camphene, this new source of kerosene brought about many variations in burner design. Table lamps, hanging lamps, wall mounted lamps, banquet lamps, and many specialty products flooded the market.

Portability and remarkable brightness now available through this new era of lighting brought about a change in the way people addressed life’s needs. Previously relegated to a sun-up to sun-down lifestyle, brighter lamps meant more could be accomplished long after natural day lighting changed into darkness of night. The refinement of lanterns meant a safer, more reliable lamp for use outside of the home. Streets, bicycles, and even carriages beamed with this new technology.

Although the terms lamp, and lantern, are commonly interchanged, lanterns are lamps intended to be used outdoors. The main design differences between a lamp and a lantern are the durability of the frame and construction of the glass globe. Most lanterns have a metal base, side supports and top, as compared to lamps having just a base. A thick glass globe replaces the freestanding, open top, fragile lamp chimney. The metal frame seals the globe at the top and bottom, protecting the flame from drafts. Small vents in the frame provide a source of air intake and a method of exhaust. Flat wicks are most common, but some lamps may have round wicks.

Kerosene revolutionized more than just lighting, it provided a new power source which would form the basis for innovations still in use today, many which would be converted to a fuel source having a much larger impact on technology: electricity.

Kerosene Lanterns Time-Period: 1868 to present day

Three common types of lanterns are the dead flame, hot blast and cold blast.

A dead-flame lantern draws fresh air from below the burner with the exhaust exiting out the top of the lantern. This design does not burn much brighter than a single candle. Many utility lanterns such as skater’s lanterns, railroad lanterns, and marine lanterns are of the dead flame design.

Hot blast and cold blast lanterns are also called tubular lanterns because of their hollow-tube side supports. Fresh air intake is directed to the burner through these hollow tubes with additional airflow through vents at the bottom of the globe and baffles at the top of the globe. This design provides a stabilized air flow to the flame, making the lantern ‘wind-proof’. Tubular lanterns ranged in brightness from four to fourteen candles. Both styles are still available today, the cold blast being most common.

The hot blast lantern was first produced in 1868. Fresh air intake through the support tubes is mixed with some of the lantern’s hot air exhaust and routed to the burner, resulting in better fuel efficiency than the cold blast by about 10%. The cleaner exhaust was more suitable for use in an enclosed area. A yellow flame is characteristic of the hot blast lantern.

The cold blast design was first produced in 1881. This lantern is not as efficient in fuel consumption as the hot blast, but it produces a white flame approximately twice the brightness. The support tubes provide only fresh air to the burner with all exhaust routed out the top, leaving the earlier models not well suited for use in enclosed spaces. Refinements in lantern construction and fuel quality have minimized this concern.

Mantle Lamps/Lanterns Time-Period: mid-1890’s to present day

Mantle lamps challenged the basic premise of flat wick lamps. Two such designs still in use today are manufactured by the Aladdin Mantle Lamp Company and the Coleman Company.

Mantle lamps use a netting of rare-earth metal oxides having a very high melting point to self-contain the flame. When heated, this netting, or mantle, produces a bright light from incandescence, a similar process as that which is used in electric light bulbs. Non-pressurized mantle lamps use a wick to deliver fuel to the burner and produce the light of sixty candles. Pressurized mantle lamps force vaporized fuel to the burner and do not have a wick. This type of lamp can produce light more than three hundred candles.

Gas Lighting Time-Period: early 1800’s to present day

Gas lighting rivaled developments of liquid fuel, the first American gas light patent was granted in 1810. Gas lamps were not portable and required a network of pipes, much like the water supply plumbing in our current homes. The Bryant house, built in 1882, was equipped with gas lamps, fueled by a gas generator located outside of the house.

Portable gas lamps, typically called carbide lamps, were first used domestically in the mid 1890’s. Carbide lamps have two chambers, one holding dry calcium carbide and the other filled with water. When allowed to intermix, these two components create a flammable gas called acetylene. This chemical reaction has a self-regulating nature which prevents build-up of gas pressure within the lamp. Gas flow is adjusted by changing the amount of water mixing with the calcium chloride. Carbide lamps are still in use today.

Cruise Lamp

Time-Period: Early 1600’s to late-1800’s Date of display lamp: original to period

The earliest of lamp designs. Many different types of fuel were used, such as grease or tallow. The wick was usually made of scrap cloth. This particular lamp is referred to as a ‘Pheobe’ lamp because of the second oil bowl, used to catch dripping oil. An open flame is the source of light.

Cruise Lamp

Time-Period: Early 1600’s to late-1800’s Date of display lamp: original to period

Betty Lamp

Time-Period: Early 1700’s through 1800’s Date of display lamp: original to period

An improved Cruise lamp. Burned many types of fuel, such as grease or tallow. Wick was usually made of scrap cloth. An open flame is the source of light.

Kinnear Lard Lamp

Time-Period: 1851 to possibly mid 1860’s Date of display lamp: original to period

Little information can be found on this lamp other than that in the patent description (patent #7921, dated February 4th, 1851). The long, flat wick was for general lighting needs. A metal wick holder extends down into the specially shaped tank, transferring heat to liquefy an otherwise thick fuel. A small, round wick provided a softer flame for use as a nightlight. The wire next to the round wick was positioned into the flame to transfer heat to the fuel. An open flame is the source of light.

Whale Oil Lamp

Time-Period: Early 1780’s to mid-1860’s Date of display lamp base: reproduction Chimney not used on this type of burner Reproduction burner

Round wick lamp with special burners designed to use whale oil as a fuel. The lamp base is a reproduction of a whale oil lamp design. An open flame is the source of light - there is not a mantle or chimney.

Burning Fluid Lamp

Time-Period: 1834 to mid-1860’s Date of display lamp base: reproduction Chimney not used on this type of burner Reproduction burner

Round wick lamp with special burners designed to use either ‘burning fluid’ or camphene. Snuffers were required to extinguish flame. The lamp base is a reproduction of a whale oil lamp design. An open flame is the source of light - there is not a mantle or chimney.

Flat Wick Kerosene Lamp

Time-Period: 1859 to present day Date of display lamp: ca 1870’s Date of chimney: ca 1900

Salesman’s sample of a flat wick, kerosene ‘finger’ lamp. This design included an oil drip edge around the top of the fount. The chimney is hand blown and a flaw can be seen in the ruffled edge. Basic everyday lamp for use indoors. A protected flame is the source of light.

Center-Draft Lamp

Time-Period: Late 1800’s to 1960’s Date of display lamp: ca 1887 Date of chimney: ca 1900 Glass shade not displayed

A newer version of the center draft design, incorporating a flame spreader. Fuel is delivered through a hollow wick. Fresh air is drawn through the bottom of the lamp base and travels up the center of the wick, producing a brighter flame than a flat wick. A protected flame is the source of light.

Dead-Flame Lantern

Time-Period: Early 1850’s to present day Date of display lantern: ca 1870

Flat wick kerosene lantern. Fresh air is drawn through vents at the base of the globe. A protected flame is the source of light.

Hot-Blast Lantern

Time-Period: 1868 to mid-1900’s Date of display lantern: ca 1900 Date of chimney: ca 1900

Flat wick kerosene lantern. First patent date stamped on this lamp is 1884, the last date is 1899. Fresh air is drawn through vents located at the bottom of the globe, and through the open top. Hot exhaust is partially recirculated to the base of the burner through the side support tubes. A protected flame is the source of light.

Cold-Blast Lantern

Time-Period: 1881 to present day Date of display lantern: ca 1914 Date of globe: ca 1914

Flat wick kerosene lantern. Fresh air is drawn into the globe through vents located in the top and bottom globe supports, and to the base of the burner through the side support tubes. A protected flame is the source of light.

Carbide Table Lamp

Time-Period: 1890’s to present day Date of display lamp: ca 1906 Glass shade not displayed

Rare example of a carbide table lamp. Acetylene gas is produced by mixing carbide and water inside of the lamp. The intensity of the flame depends on the flow of gas, which is controlled through the amount of water mixing with the carbide. An open flame is the source of light - there is not a wick, mantle, or chimney.

Center-Draft Mantle Lamp

Time-Period: 1909 to 1935 Date of display lamp: ca 1915 Date of chimney: ca 1915

Fuel is delivered through a hollow wick. Fresh air is drawn through the bottom of the lamp base and travels up the center of the wick, producing a brighter flame than a flat wick. The flame heats a protected mantle, which is the source of light.

Collar-Draft Mantle Lamp

Time-Period: 1932 to present day Date of display lamp: ca 1935 Date of chimney: ca 1935

Fuel is delivered through a hollow wick. Fresh air is drawn through vents at the base of the burner and travels up the center of the wick. The flame heats a protected mantle, which is the source of light.

Pressurized Mantle Lamp

Time-Period: Early 1900’s to present day Date of display lamp: ca 1940 Date of globe: reproduction Date of burner design: 1914

The fuel tank is pressurized using either a built-in or external hand pump. The fuel, delivered in a gaseous state through a nozzle, burns without a wick. The flame heats a protected mantle, which is the source of light.