Object Details
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting flame was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be worn on a cap, or hooked onto any other suitable location.
Credit Line
Board of Trustees of Lafayette College
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8777F
catalog number
MHI-MN-8777F
accession number
265669
Object Name
lamp, oil, cap, mining
mining lamp, oil
Measurements
overall: 5 in x 4 in; 12.7 cm x 10.16 cm
See more items in
Work and Industry: Agriculture and Natural Resources
Mining Lamps
Work
Industry & Manufacturing
Natural Resources
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_872118