Oil lamps have lit the way for humanity for centuries, bringing light to the darkest corners of our lives. Though they were often inefficient and challenging to store, their glow brightened our world. In 1846, Dr. Abraham Gesner, a physician and geologist, discovered that distilling coal produced a clear liquid that burned with a brilliant yellow flame. He named it kerosene, derived from the Greek for “wax oil,” and this invention transformed lighting forever.
The modern kerosene lamp owes its creation to Ignacy Łukasiewicz, a Polish inventor, who developed it in 1853. Łukasiewicz also founded the first oil refinery and demonstrated that kerosene could be extracted from petroleum, making it more affordable and widely available. Around the same time, American industrialist Robert Dietz and his brother patented a flat wick burner specifically designed for kerosene. These lamps were portable and featured kerosene reservoirs, wicks or mantles for illumination, and protective glass globes or tubes.
There were three main types of kerosene lamps: flat wick, tubular wick, and mantle lamps. Flat wick lamps utilized cotton wicks, with one end submerged in kerosene and a glass chimney ensuring safety. They operated by drawing cold air into the flame while hot air escaped upward. Tubular wick lamps, also known as central draught lamps, used tubular wicks for brighter light and wider chimneys for improved airflow. Mantle lamps enhanced brightness further by employing a fabric mantle coated with rare-earth salts like thorium above the flame. Non-portable flat wick lamps, known as dead flame lamps, were stationary alternatives.
Kerosene gained immense popularity after the American Civil War, replacing whale oil as the dominant lighting source. In 1862, John H. Irwin introduced the coil oil lamp, designed for indoor use with refined kerosene, boosting workplace efficiency and extending operational hours in public venues such as theaters, museums, and shops. Six years later, Irwin invented the hot-blast tubular lantern, which channeled hot air above the flame to increase brightness. This was soon followed by the cold-blast design, which supplied cooler, oxygen-rich air to the flame for even greater luminosity.
The rise of oil refineries in the 19th century cemented kerosene’s role as the primary fuel for lighthouses, locomotives, ships, and road lighting. It also powered stoves and heaters, enhancing agricultural productivity. While Thomas Edison’s 1879 invention of the electric light bulb began displacing kerosene in households, it remains a crucial resource for lighting, cooking, and heating in many parts of the world today.
Kerosene’s legacy extends beyond lamps. It became a key ingredient in jet fuel and was even used by NASA to power rocket engines. Today, kerosene lamps continue to serve as reliable light sources during power outages or natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes.
For those interested in preserving these timeless tools, Antique Lamp Supply offers replacement parts and expert guidance. Their friendly customer service team is ready to help with any questions or needs.