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Lamp, Camphene

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/c2240540-0d92-0135-23f6-0050569601ca-0
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Copyright Not Evaluated

Descriptive Information

Title
Lamp, Camphene
Description
A cylindrical glass jar with a lid which transforms it into a lamp. The lid has two broad wick holders protruding from one side. A heavy C shaped cover with chain for the wick holders is attached and indicates that this is probably a camphene lamp.
Interpretation
Camphene, a combination mineral spirits and alcohol was used as a lamp fuel for a short time in the middle of the 19th century. Because whale oil was so expensive camphene was used as a replacement. Camphene was extremely volatile. If the flame from one wick heated the other wick the heat could travel back into the reservoir and explode. Thus, camphene lamps have either single wicks, or double wicks pointed away from one another. This lamp shows how a lid could be fitted onto any simple jar.
Lesson Plans / Themes
  • Settling in the Midwest  
  • What's That Relic?  
  • Introduction of Artifacts as a Primary Source  
  • School Museum  
  • Inventions Multimedia Time Line  
  • Whaling Slide Show  
  • How We Learn About Communities  
  • Communities and Geography  
  • American Communities in History  
Learning Standards
  • 13 Science, Technology and Society  
  • 18 Social Systems  
  • 16 History  
Subject / Keywords
  • Camphene  
  • Whale oil  
  • Whales  
  • Whaling  
  • Lighting device  
  • Light  
  • Oil lamp  
Temporal Coverage
1840/1865
Collection Publisher
Early American Museum
Rights
Copyright Not Evaluated
Resource Identifier
1968.001.0971
Date Created
2-24-2003
Collection Title
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
Collection
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
TitleLamp, Camphene
DescriptionA cylindrical glass jar with a lid which transforms it into a lamp. The lid has two broad wick holders protruding from one side. A heavy C shaped cover with chain for the wick holders is attached and indicates that this is probably a camphene lamp.
InterpretationCamphene, a combination mineral spirits and alcohol was used as a lamp fuel for a short time in the middle of the 19th century. Because whale oil was so expensive camphene was used as a replacement. Camphene was extremely volatile. If the flame from one wick heated the other wick the heat could travel back into the reservoir and explode. Thus, camphene lamps have either single wicks, or double wicks pointed away from one another. This lamp shows how a lid could be fitted onto any simple jar.
Lesson Plans / Themes
  • Settling in the Midwest  
  • What's That Relic?  
  • Introduction of Artifacts as a Primary Source  
  • School Museum  
  • Inventions Multimedia Time Line  
  • Whaling Slide Show  
  • How We Learn About Communities  
  • Communities and Geography  
  • American Communities in History  
Learning Standards
  • 13 Science, Technology and Society  
  • 18 Social Systems  
  • 16 History  
Subject / Keywords
  • Camphene  
  • Whale oil  
  • Whales  
  • Whaling  
  • Lighting device  
  • Light  
  • Oil lamp  
Temporal Coverage1840/1865
Collection PublisherEarly American Museum
RightsCopyright Not Evaluated
Resource Identifier1968.001.0971
Date Created2-24-2003
Collection TitleTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
CollectionTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)

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