Safety Lamps

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

Image of an Early wire gauze safety lamp
Davy-stayle Safety Lamp, Scranton, Pennsylvania, ca. late 1900s

The unforgiving darkness of a mine necessitated the use of a light. Before the 19th century, this forced miners to use open flames that had the potential to ignite the flammable gasses inside mines, causing lethal explosions. The flammable gas (firedamp) consisted mainly of methane and was most often found in coal mines. A need was seen to provide a safe light for miners to use in gaseous mines, and several inventors set upon the task independently. The three main progenitors of early safety lamps were Dr. William Reid Clanny, Sir Humphry Davy, and George Stephenson.

The first to set upon the idea of a safety lamp was Dr. William Clanny. As a physician in Sunderland, England, Clanny routinely attended to patients injured in mining explosions. In 1813 Clanny revealed his first design for a lamp in a paper to the Royal Philosophical Society.  Clanny enclosed the flame in glass with layers of water above and below the flame to "seal in the fire." A bellows supplied oxygen through a tube into the chamber to keep the flame alight. The bellows made this lamp impractical for daily use, and the flame was extinguished when tested in a mixture of inflammable gas.

George Stephenson was an English engineer who also began to try to invent a safe lamp in 1815. Through trial and error he came upon a design that worked. He encased the lamp in a glass cylinder, which was capped with a metallic cover with tiny holes. This was covered with a metal bonnet to further remove the flame from the dangers of the flammable gas.

Cutaway image of a Safety Lamp
Cutaway of a Safety Lamp

The Englishman Sir Humphry Davy was already a scientist and inventor of national renown when he seized upon the idea of a safety lamp in 1815. Davy had performed numerous scientific experiments on all natures of gasses, and this experience proved useful in battling the flammable firedamp found in gaseous mines. Davy’s invention was to surround the flame with a metallic mesh screen. Air could pass through the screen to fuel the flame, but if the holes in the screen were small enough, the mesh would cool the flame to such an extent that it could not ignite the gas surrounding the lamp. This design allowed the Davy lamp to serve as a test for the presences of certain gasses. If firedamp was present, the flame would burn with a blue “cap.” The length of the cap would determine how much gas was present. Some lamps in the collection are these so called “test lamps” with marks in the lamp's glass used to measure the flame’s cap. While flammable gasses were the most prominent threat in mines, asphyxiant gasses also presented a danger. Davy’s safety lamp helped with this issue as well, as miners could use Davy’s lamp to check for harmful concentrations of carbon dioxide, which would extinguish the flame at a non-lethal concentration, alerting the miner’s to unsafe working conditions.

Although safety lamps addressed the issue of mining explosions, they did not become as numerous as other mining lights for a variety of reasons. Many miners objected to using safety lamps because they were cumbersome, could not be worn on the cap, and gave a poor light, which all served to reduce a miner’s efficiency. Since most miners were paid by the pound, a reduction in efficiency amounted to a reduction in pay, and so the risk of an explosion was a chance miners were willing to take. Additionally, many miners objected to the false confidence instilled in many who used a safety lamp, and claimed that safety lamps obscured the real issue of unsafe working conditions and would hinder the development of improved ventilation needed in mines. Safety lamps had one unique advantage—they could safely burn off methane in mines which kept them in use by mine bosses even after the invention of battery-powered lamps.

Safety lamps were manufactured by a variety of companies from around 1815 until the 1930s, and incorporated elements of their design from Clanny, Stephenson, and Davy. Most of the safety lamps in the collection of the Division of Work and Industry include all three inventor’s contributions towards a safety lamp—a glass enclosure around the flame for more effective lighting, mesh uppers to cool the flame, and metal bonnet to better protect the flame from being extinguished by gusts or drafts in mines.

Search term: *:* Set Name: Work and Industry: Mining Clear All

Miner’s Safety Lamp

The American Safety Lamp & Mine Supply Company hired M.D. Cremer of England to produce this lamp around 1913. M.D.
Description (Brief)
The American Safety Lamp & Mine Supply Company hired M.D. Cremer of England to produce this lamp around 1913. M.D. Cremer, a former director of the Wolf Safety Lamp Company in England started the Cremer Lamp and Engineering Company in 1913 to produce lamps by contract from other firms. This safety lamp features a glass enclosure, double 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-9768
catalog number
MHI-MN-9768
accession number
304880

Miner's Safety Lamp

This John Davis & Son safety lamp manufactured in the early 20th century is notable for its prominent padlock latch. Many mining safety lamps were fueled, locked, and distributed at the entrance of the mine by the mine boss.
Description (Brief)
This John Davis & Son safety lamp manufactured in the early 20th century is notable for its prominent padlock latch. Many mining safety lamps were fueled, locked, and distributed at the entrance of the mine by the mine boss. Opening the lamp inside the mine exposed the flame to potentially flammable gas that could cause fatal explosions. Hence, refueling the lamp inside the mine was prohibited, and most safety lamps were locked by some means, with this lamp exhibiting a classic padlock design.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7856
catalog number
MHI-MN-7856
accession number
240639

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company 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 American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company 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-8763A
catalog number
MHI-MN-8763A
accession number
265669

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company 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 American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company 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.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8769B
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8769B

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. This safety lamp employs a wire gauze with metal bonnet and a glass globe surrounding the wick to protect the flame.
Description (Brief)
This safety lamp was manufactured by the American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the latter half of the 19th century. This safety lamp employs a wire gauze with metal bonnet 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.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8789
catalog number
MHI-MN-8789
accession number
265669

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-8802A
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8802A

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-8803B
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8803B

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-8803C
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8803C

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-8925
accession number
260127
catalog number
MHI-MN-8925

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

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 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 is a "Baby" Wolf Company Safety Lamp manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. The "baby" name denotes the lamp’s smaller size.
Description (Brief)
This is a "Baby" Wolf Company Safety Lamp manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. The "baby" name denotes the lamp’s smaller size. The baby Wolf safety lamp was manufactured for mine bosses or officials who only needed lamps for infrequent, brief periods and could therefore have a smaller lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8768
accession number
265669
catalog number
MHI-MN-8768

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-9550
accession number
280476
catalog number
MHI-MN-9550

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. A plaque on the bottom reads: Wolf Safety lamp Co. of America, Inc. New York, USA. There is a plaque on the bottom of the lamp that reads: Mine Safety Appliance Co., Pittsburgh, USA.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9551
accession number
280476
catalog number
MHI-MN-9551

Miner's Safety Lamp

This lamp was manufactured by the J. Davies & Son Ltd. from Baltimore, Maryland in the late 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This lamp was manufactured by the J. Davies & Son Ltd. from Baltimore, Maryland in the late 19th century. The “safety” mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in glass or metal gauze prevented the combustible gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps. This lamp’s exterior metal coating is called a “bonnet” and was a big improvement in safety lamp design.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7721
catalog number
MHI-MN-7721
accession number
235039

Miner's Safety Lamp

This is a "Baby" Wolf Company Safety Lamp manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. The "baby" name denotes the lamp’s smaller size.
Description (Brief)
This is a "Baby" Wolf Company Safety Lamp manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. The "baby" name denotes the lamp’s smaller size. The baby Wolf safety lamp was manufactured for mine bosses or officials who only needed lamps for infrequent, brief periods and could therefore have a smaller lamp
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7860
catalog number
MHI-MN-7860
accession number
240639

Miner's Safety Lamp

This is a "Baby" Wolf Company Safety Lamp manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. The "baby" name denotes the lamp’s smaller size.
Description (Brief)
This is a "Baby" Wolf Company Safety Lamp manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in the early 20th century. The "baby" name denotes the lamp’s smaller size. The baby Wolf safety lamp was manufactured for mine bosses or officials who only needed lamps for infrequent, brief periods and could therefore have a smaller lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7861
catalog number
MHI-MN-7861
accession number
240639

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-8106A
accession number
240639
catalog number
MHI-MN-8106A

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 Safety Lamp

The Joris Company made this safety lamp in Liege, Belgium during the 20th century. The measured markings along the lamp’s window indicate that this safety lamp was used to measure the amount of methane in the air, without igniting it.
Description (Brief)
The Joris Company made this safety lamp in Liege, Belgium during the 20th century. The measured markings along the lamp’s window indicate that this safety lamp was used to measure the amount of methane in the air, without igniting it. In the presence of methane, a blue "cap" would appear on the flame, with the height of the flame corresponding to the amount of methane in the air, easily measured by the markings built into the lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8759
catalog number
MHI-MN-8759
accession number
265669

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in the early 20th century.
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 popular and effective Wolf Company designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze in 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
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-002676
catalog number
MHI-MT-002676
accession number
115670

Miner’s Safety Lamp

This is a safety lamp manufactured by the Wolf Safety Lamp Company of America in the early 20th century.
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 popular and effective Wolf Company designs, employing a glass enclosure, wire gauze in 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
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-002677
catalog number
MHI-MT-002677
accession number
115670

Miner's Safety Lamp

This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the late 19th century. The "safety" mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters.
Description (Brief)
This lamp's manufacturer is unknown, but based on its design, it was most likely made in the late 19th century. The "safety" mining lamp was a tremendous step forward in preventing mining disasters. Encasing the flame in glass or metal gauze prevented combustible mine gases (called firedamp) from exploding, as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps. One problem with glass in safety lamps was the glass cracking, which occurred in this lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MI-1003
catalog number
MHI-MI-1003
accession number
136485

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