Coal oil lantern / lamp
Object NameCoal oil lantern / lamp
MediumMetal
Dimensions13 3/4 × 6 1/4 × 6 in. diameter (34.9 × 15.9 × 15.2 cm)
ClassificationsHousehold, Kitchen, Miscellaneous
Credit LineTransferred from the Applied Arts Department. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object number74.32.130
Status
On viewLabel TextIn May of 1862, John H. Irwin created the first design for a coil oil lamp to be used with coal oils. Coal oil, oil produced as a byproduct of the production of coal gas and coal tar, initially emitted a smoky flame until it was refined into kerosene. This refinement allowed coal lamps that were only previously used outside to be used indoors.
Locations
- (not entered) Iowa State University, Farm House Museum
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PifCo
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Boston & Sandwich Glass Co.
1825-1840
Object number: UM2012.317
