Carbide Lamp

Description: A carbide miner's lamp consisting of a reservoir for holding fuel (A) that screws into the main part of the lamp (B). The reservoir has screw threads at the top and a rubber 'O' ring to seal it. The main part of the lamp has a large circular reflector, inside which is a spigot for releasing the fu…

Manufacturer Notes: Guy's Dropper Lamp model is named after its inventor, Frank Guy, a Springfield Illinois miner. Guy partnered with Edgar Shanklin to produce this lamp. Shanklin Manufacturing Co. was sold to the Universal Lamp Company in 1932, and they continued to make this model. Source: National Museum of American History item record for 1978.2497.02

Description: A carbide miner's lamp consisting of a reservoir for holding fuel (A) that screws into the main part of the lamp (B). The reservoir has screw threads at the top and a rubber 'O' ring to seal it. The main part of the lamp has a large circular reflector, inside which is a spigot for releasing the fuel and a flint. On the top of the main part of the lamp is a flip top lid for refueling and a piece of wire that swivels. Inscribed on top of the lamp is 'Guy's Dropper/On/Off/Pat. 5-2-12 5-26-14 9-19-16 11-2-20 2-10-25 7-21-25'. Inscribed on the bottom of part A (resevoir) is MANUF'D BY/ SHANKLIN MFG. CO./ SPRINGFIELD, ILL/ USA

History Of Use: Miner's carbide lamps were a great advance over oil lamps and candles. this type of lamp in common use by 1905 provided a bright light. It was also much safer and healthier for the miners as it did not produce any carbon monoxide and very little carbon dioxide