Oil-Wick Cap Lamps

Consolidated Coal Company Miners showing proper method of shooting coal, March 6, 1924.

Image of an Oil-Wick Cap LampOil-Wick Cap Lamp with Drip Ring

The oil-wick lamp first came into use in Scotland around 1850, and remained in use until the 1920’s. Before oil-wick lamps were popularized, candles were the main source of illumination in the mine. The candles were set into spiked metal candle holders, and either hammered into the framing timbers or precariously attached to a miner’s hat. The design of oil-wick cap lamps were simple and consistent, an appropriation of the teapot style of lamps available at the time.

The lamps were usually made of brass, with a hinged lid over the font and a hook on the back to mount the lamp on a miner’s cap. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, which would be pulled through the wick to the top of the spout, where the lamp would be lit. Miner’s would use the cheapest type of fuel they could get their hands on, often using lard oil cut with kerosene that gave off an extremely smoky flame, irritating the miner’s eyes and leaving his face coated with soot. The collection of oil-wick lamps shows a variety of attachments that were made to the spout. A drip ring could be added to catch any oil falling from the wick, and a reflector could be attached in and attempt to direct the light to the miner’s work surface.

Image of Kentucky Miners wearing Oil-Wick LampsMiner's wearing Oil-Wick Lamps, Consolidated Coal Co. No. 204, Jenkins, KY July 19, 1912

The oil-wick cap lamp held a variety of advantages over candles—the light burned brighter, lasted longer, and was easier to carry and wear. But the oil-wick cap lamp also had several drawbacks. The flame, while brighter than a candle’s, was much smokier, and the open flame of the oil-wick lamp could ignite the flammable gasses in mines resulting in deadly explosions. The threat of explosions prompted the development on the safety lamp for use in potentially combustible mines, and the invention of the carbide lamp generally phased out the use oil-wick lamps by the 1920s.

 

Search term: *:* Resource Type: lamp, oil, cap, miner's Clear All

Oil-Wick Mining 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.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-310686
accession number
125257
catalog number
MHI-MT-310686

Miner's Cap Lamp

This lamp is an oil-wick cap lamp. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and remained 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 lamp is an oil-wick cap lamp. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and remained 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 light 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.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.289440
catalog number
289440
accession number
059128

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

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by Henry F. Pearce of Hyde Park, Pennsylvania that received patent number 258,803 on May 30, 1882.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by Henry F. Pearce of Hyde Park, Pennsylvania that received patent number 258,803 on May 30, 1882. Pearce claimed as his invention “a cap for a miner's lamp having a lining arranged to form a space and having the annularly-located perforations, whereby none of the perforations in the lining directly communicate with the vent in the cap” to prevent the escape of the oil through the vent and the closing of the vent by the gumming of oil or sediment.
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1882-05-30
patentee
Pearce, Henry F.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9746
accession number
088881
catalog number
MHI-MN-9746
patent number
258802

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by James C. Smythe of Plymouth, Pennsylvania that received patent number 204,628 on June 4, 1878.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by James C. Smythe of Plymouth, Pennsylvania that received patent number 204,628 on June 4, 1878. In his patent filing, Smythe claimed as his invention “a miner's lamp divided into an upper and a lower chamber, the latter forming the oil-reservoir, and provided with a small wick to convey the oil to the upper chamber and to a large wick passing from said upper chamber through the neck or tube of the lamp.” The dual chamber allowed use of the lighter oils in miners' lamps, by preventing excessive flow of oil to the spout.
Location
Currently not on view
patentee
Smythe, James C.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9743
accession number
88881
catalog number
MHI-MN-9743
patent number
204628

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by W. G. Dowd of Scranton, Pennsylvania that received patent number 90,434, on May 25, 1869. The patent filing is for the wick raiser on this lamp seen on the outside of the spout.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by W. G. Dowd of Scranton, Pennsylvania that received patent number 90,434, on May 25, 1869. The patent filing is for the wick raiser on this lamp seen on the outside of the spout. Dowd claimed as his invention “a wire bent over the outer edge of the wicktube with its outer portion sliding in the guide, and its inner portion bent to form an eye to which are hung the fork,” so as to raise the wick by the sliding of the wire.
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1869-05-25
patentee
Dowd, W. G.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9744
accession number
88881
catalog number
MHI-MN-9744
patent number
090434

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by William Seybold of McKeesport, Pennsylvania that received patent number 90,963 on June 8, 1869.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by William Seybold of McKeesport, Pennsylvania that received patent number 90,963 on June 8, 1869. Seybold claimed as his invention “extending the wick-tube upwards, within the lamp-chamber, nearly to the top of the lamp” and “extending the exterior portion of the wick-tube above the top of the lamp” in order to keep lighter oils from making their way up a normal spout due to the motions of a miner’s head.
Location
Currently not on view
patentee
Seybold, William
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9745
accession number
088881
catalog number
MHI-MN-9745
patent number
90963

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by John Fleming of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania that received patent number 219,352 on July 24, 1879.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick lamp is a patent model constructed by John Fleming of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania that received patent number 219,352 on July 24, 1879. Fleming claimed as his invention “a miner's lamp provided with a hard-metal bottom having a flange that supports the lower edge of the body of the lamp, and the flange bearing against the inner wall of the body.” Miner’s would strike the bottom of their lamps against a hard surface to raise and lower the wick, and this extra bottom prevented damage to the lamp’s body.
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1879-09-09
patentee
Fleming, John
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9747
accession number
088881
catalog number
MHI-MN-9747
patent number
219352

Miner's Cap Lamp

Manufactured by the Grier Brothers, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1910's, this oil-wick mining lamp has a double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel.
Description (Brief)
Manufactured by the Grier Brothers, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1910's, this oil-wick mining lamp has a double spout, indicating that it burned "Sunshine" fuel. This kind of lamp hooked onto a miner’s cap, and produced an open flame on the miner's head so he could see his work in front of him.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8056
accession number
239012
catalog number
MHI-MN-8056

Miner's Cap Lamp

This oil-wick mining lamp was in use between 1850 and 1920. Its double spout indicates 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 was in use between 1850 and 1920. Its double spout indicates that it burned "Sunshine" fuel, a mixture of paraffin wax and 3% mineral oil produced by the Standard Oil Company. Often 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-8945
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-8945

Miner's Cap Lamp

This tin oil-wick lamp was manufactured by the Leonard Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. The Leonard Bros. (also known as T.F.
Description (Brief)
This tin oil-wick lamp was manufactured by the Leonard Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. The Leonard Bros. (also known as T.F. Leonard Co.) advertised their lamps in the 1882 “Engineering and Mining Journal” as being available with three different spout sizes, made of seamless brass without any soldering. This particular lamp seems to have one of the larger spouts.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.059081
catalog number
059081
accession number
14851

Miner's Cap Lamp

This tin oil-wick mining lamp was manufactured by F.W. Watson & Co. of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Mr. Watson was a prominent member of the Scranton community, serving as chief engineer of the Scranton Fire Department.
Description (Brief)
This tin oil-wick mining lamp was manufactured by F.W. Watson & Co. of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Mr. Watson was a prominent member of the Scranton community, serving as chief engineer of the Scranton Fire Department. According to the "Wilkes-Barre Scranton Statistical and Trade Review" of 1881 his company was known for its quality metalwork, such as plumbing, stoves, and steam fittings.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.059082
catalog number
059082
accession number
014851

Miner’s Cap Lamp

This oil-wick cap lamp was made by George Anton & Son in Monongahela, Pennsylvania 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 George Anton & Son in Monongahela, Pennsylvania 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-9714
accession number
299293
catalog number
MHI-MN-9714

Oil-Wick Miner’s Lamp Patent Model

This oil-wick cap lamp is a patent model constructed by John H. Gable of Shamokin, Pennsylvania that received patent number 217,791 on July 22, 1879.
Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp is a patent model constructed by John H. Gable of Shamokin, Pennsylvania that received patent number 217,791 on July 22, 1879. Gable’s claim in the patent filing is a miner's lamp “having a rear attachment-hook, a transversely-flattened spout-burner that extends upward from the front of the body, having a small diameter in the plane of the hook, and spreading laterally to form a flame thin at the sides and broad in front.”
Location
Currently not on view
patentee
Gable, John H.
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9736
accession number
088881
catalog number
MHI-MN-9736
patent number
217791

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