Natural Resources

Lithograph of

The natural resources collections offer centuries of evidence about how Americans have used the bounty of the American continent and coastal waters. Artifacts related to flood control, dam construction, and irrigation illustrate the nation's attempts to manage the natural world. Oil-drilling, iron-mining, and steel-making artifacts show the connection between natural resources and industrial strength.

Forestry is represented by saws, axes, a smokejumper's suit, and many other objects. Hooks, nets, and other gear from New England fisheries of the late 1800s are among the fishing artifacts, as well as more recent acquisitions from the Pacific Northwest and Chesapeake Bay. Whaling artifacts include harpoons, lances, scrimshaw etchings in whalebone, and several paintings of a whaler's work at sea. The modern environmental movement has contributed buttons and other protest artifacts on issues from scenic rivers to biodiversity.

Topic: Mining Lamps

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company in Chicago, Illinois, around 1930. Auto-Lite mining lamps were produced from 1913 through 1960, most following the design Jacob Sherman patented in 1924.
Description (Brief)
This is an Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp, produced by the Universal Lamp Company in Chicago, Illinois, around 1930. Auto-Lite mining lamps were produced from 1913 through 1960, most following the design Jacob Sherman patented in 1924. This particular lamp likely dates to around 1930, as evidenced by the rubber bumper grip on the base and two lines of lettering on the top.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9772A
catalog number
MHI-MN-9772A
accession number
304880

Miner’s Cap Lamp

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.
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. This lamp bears a shield that reads “UMW of A” for the United Mine Workers of America.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8992A
accession number
263096
catalog number
MHI-MN-8992A

Miner's Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in the early 20th century. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in the early 20th century. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame. The "permissible" engraved on the lamp means the lamp was approved by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the lines on the glass portion suggest the lamp was used to judge methane levels.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8106B
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-8106B

Miner's Electric Cap Lamp

First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel cover at both ends, connected the battery to the cap lamp.
Description (Brief)
First manufactured in 1912, the Edison Safety Mining Lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel cover at both ends, connected the battery to the cap lamp. The battery could power the six-candlepower lamp for 12 hours and was recharged at the end of a miner’s shift.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7948
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-7948

Miner’s Cap Lamp

This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company. Called a "Sunshine Lamp," the outer spout served to insulate the wick in the inner spout, thereby conducting enough heat to melt the wax in the Sunshine fuel. This kind of lamp hooked onto a miner’s cap, and produced an open flame.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9660
catalog number
MHI-MN-9660
accession number
292877

Miner’s Safety Lamp with Cutaway

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in 1916. The cutaway shows the details of one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, double wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in 1916. The cutaway shows the details of one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, double wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame. The cutaway also reveals the cotton that would be soaked with oil to provide fuel to the wick to light the flame.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7760
catalog number
MHI-MN-7760
accession number
235037

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick cap lamp is a patent model constructed by William C. Winfield of Hubbard, Ohio that received patent number 115,143 on May 23, 1871.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp is a patent model constructed by William C. Winfield of Hubbard, Ohio that received patent number 115,143 on May 23, 1871. Winfield’s claim in the patent filing is a miner's lamp with “a new article of manufacture, viz., a miner's lamp, provided with a screw-cap constructed, arranged, and operating with relation to the body of the lamp.”
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1871-05-23
patentee
Winfield, William C.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9737
accession number
088881
catalog number
MHI-MN-9737
patent number
115143

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company of Zwickau, Germany in the late 19th century. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported their lamps to the U.S.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company of Zwickau, Germany in the late 19th century. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported their lamps to the U.S. until World War I, when buying German products became unpopular. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9756A
accession number
304880
catalog number
MHI-MN-9756A

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This Davy style safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This Davy style safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in metal gauze prevented the flame from escaping the lamp and igniting the combustible gases (called firedamp), as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9547B
accession number
280476
catalog number
MHI-MN-9547B

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This Davy style safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This Davy style safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in metal gauze prevented the flame from escaping the lamp and igniting the combustible gases (called firedamp), as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9547A
accession number
280476
catalog number
MHI-MN-9547A

Miner’s Cap Lamp

This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. 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.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. 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. This lamp has the inscription “J.C. MARSHALL'S PATENT JAN 4th 1876” on one side, and "CHARLES WAGNER" on the other.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9643
catalog number
MHI-MN-9643
accession number
288162

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This is Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp was produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois, around 1920. This brand was among the most popular and dependable mining lamps of the early 20th century. After acquiring Shanklin Mfg. Co.
Description (Brief)
This is Auto-Lite Carbide Mining Lamp was produced by the Universal Lamp Company of Chicago, Illinois, around 1920. This brand was among the most popular and dependable mining lamps of the early 20th century. After acquiring Shanklin Mfg. Co. and its "Guy's Dropper" brand, the Universal Lamp Company produced two of the three largest lighting brands to survive past World War II.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7731
accession number
234625
catalog number
MHI-MN-7731

Miner's Cap Lamp

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.
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.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8777E
catalog number
MHI-MN-8777E
accession number
265669

Miner's Cap Lamp

This oil-wick mining lamp would have been in use from around 1850-1920. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick mining lamp would have been in use from around 1850-1920. It has as double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company. Called a "Sunshine Lamp," the outer spout served to insulate the wick in the inner spout, thereby conducting enough heat to melt the wax in the Sunshine fuel. This kind of lamp hooked onto a miner’s cap, and produced an open flame.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7725
catalog number
MHI-MN-7725
accession number
235036

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company of Zwickau, Germany in the late 19th century. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported their lamps to the U.S.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Friemann and Wolf Company of Zwickau, Germany in the late 19th century. The Friemann and Wolf Company was a prominent lamp manufacturer that exported their lamps to the U.S. until World War I, when buying German products became unpopular. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal bonnet exterior to protect the flame.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8771
catalog number
MHI-MN-8771
accession number
265669

Miner’s Safety Lamp

The Koehler Manufacturing Company of Marlboro, Massachusetts produced this safety lamp during the 20th century. The lamp is marked “Permissible” meaning that it was approved for use by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines.
Description (Brief)
The Koehler Manufacturing Company of Marlboro, Massachusetts produced this safety lamp during the 20th century. The lamp is marked “Permissible” meaning that it was approved for use by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines. This lamp employs glass enclosure to protect the flame from extinguishing, wire gauze in the top-interior to keep the flame from escaping, and a metal bonnet exterior that serves both purposes. This lamp has a metal tag that is numbered “269.”
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9757B
accession number
304880
catalog number
MHI-MN-9757B

Miner’s Safety Lamp Patent Model

This safety lamp is a patent model constructed by William Roberts of Cincinnati, Ohio that received patent number 209,082 on October 15, 1878.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp is a patent model constructed by William Roberts of Cincinnati, Ohio that received patent number 209,082 on October 15, 1878. In his patent filing, Roberts claimed “the combination of the transparent shell, surrounding the flame and provided with a cap or shell, and the wire-gauze chimneys, mounted upon said cap or shell, and arranged one within the other, so as to form an annular space or chamber between them.”
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1878-10-15
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9740
catalog number
MHI-MN-9740
accession number
088881
patent number
209082

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This Davy style safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This Davy style safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in metal gauze prevented the flame from escaping the lamp and igniting the combustible gases (called firedamp), as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9453
accession number
280476
catalog number
MHI-MN-9453

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by John O. Davies, John O. Jones, and Timothy Thomas of Plymouth, Pennsylvania that received patent number 220,582 on October 14, 1879.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by John O. Davies, John O. Jones, and Timothy Thomas of Plymouth, Pennsylvania that received patent number 220,582 on October 14, 1879. The patent claims as its invention “a miner's lamp consisting of an outer shell or cup, having a wick-tube and main wick combined with an oil-reservoir adapted to fit within said outer shell or cup, and having a perforated screw-cap in its bottom through which a supplemental feeding-wick passes.” The lamp kept the oil in a separate interior container to help prevent combustion.
patentee
Davies, John O.
Jones, John O.
Thomas, Timothy
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9752
catalog number
MHI-MN-9752
accession number
88881
patent number
220582

Miner's Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America around the late 19th century. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal “bonnet” exterior to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America around the late 19th century. This lamp is one of the most popular Wolf designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze on the top-interior, and a metal “bonnet” exterior to protect the flame. The "permissible" engraved on the lamp denotes that the lamp was approved by the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7765
catalog number
MHI-MN-7765
accession number
235037

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This safety lamp was manufactured by the Hughes Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. This Clanny style safety lamp employs a wire gauze and a glass globe surrounding the wick to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp was manufactured by the Hughes Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. This Clanny style safety lamp employs a wire gauze and a glass globe surrounding the wick to protect the flame. Safety lamps were invented in the early 19th century, and are used to this day for gas detection, even as mine lighting has been replaced by electric lights.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8763B
catalog number
MHI-MN-8763B
accession number
265669

Miner's Carbide Lamp

This mining lamp is a “Guy’s Dropper” model made by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinois, first manufactured in 1913. The lamp is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a miner from Springfield.
Description (Brief)
This mining lamp is a “Guy’s Dropper” model made by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinois, first manufactured in 1913. The lamp is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a miner from Springfield. Frank Guy partnered with George and Edgar Shanklin to produce this lamp, and the lamp saw tremendous success through World War I. The Shanklin Mfg. Co. was sold to the Universal Lamp Company in 1932, who continued to make "Guy's Dropper.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8213
catalog number
MHI-MN-8213
accession number
240547

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by William C. Winfield of Hubbard, Ohio that received patent number 126,606 on May 7, 1872.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by William C. Winfield of Hubbard, Ohio that received patent number 126,606 on May 7, 1872. The patent claims as its invention “securing the lid or cap of the ordinary ‘miners' lamp’ to its body through the medium of screw-threads in the cap and on the neck of the lamp, the cap being furnished with an elastic packing-disk, air-chamber, and openings for the ingress of air.”
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1872-05-07
patentee
Winfield, William C.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9753
catalog number
MHI-MN-9753
accession number
088881
patent number
126606

Miner’s Electric Cap Lamp

The Hirsch Electric Mine Lamp Company manufactured this electric cap lamp during the first half of the 20th century. The battery is enclosed in metal case, with a flexible cord that runs to the lamp that was worn on the miner’s helmet.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
The Hirsch Electric Mine Lamp Company manufactured this electric cap lamp during the first half of the 20th century. The battery is enclosed in metal case, with a flexible cord that runs to the lamp that was worn on the miner’s helmet.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8149
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8149

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