Object Details
Description (Brief)
This Davy safety lamp was made by the J.W. Queen and Company of Philadelphia in the late 19th century. The Davy lamp was used to alert miners to the presence of methane (firedamp) and prevent mine explosions. The flame would give off a blue cap if methane was present. In order to lower the methane to acceptable levels, it would be purposefully ignited by a “fireman.” This lamp belonged to such a fireman.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.059269
catalog number
59269
accession number
15369
Object Name
lamp, safety, mining
mining lamp
Measurements
overall: 12 1/2 in x 3 in x 2 1/2 in; 31.75 cm x 7.62 cm x 6.35 cm
Related Publication
Dewey, Frederic P.. Bulletin of the United States National Museum No. 42: A Preliminary Descriptive Catalogue of the Systematic Collections in Economic Geology and Metallurgy in the United States National Museum
See more items in
Work and Industry: Mining
Mining Lamps
Work
Industry & Manufacturing
Natural Resources
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_872285