Safety lamp
Date
1817
Creator
Unknown, Engraver
After
George Stephenson (1781 - 1848, British) , Engineer
Object type
Library reference
RCN29807
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 209mm
width (print): 130mm
width (print): 130mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Three figures showing a design for a Stephenson-type safety lamp for illumination in coal mines. The lamp was intended to prevent a fire-damp explosion being triggered by a naked flame. Figure 1 is the lamp in section. Figure 2 elevation of the lamp to show its glass cylinder. Figure 3 elevation showing the perforated tin cover.
Plate (described as a ‘sketch’) from the monograph Report upon the claims of Mr. George Stephenson, relative to the invention of his safety lamp…by R.W. Brandling (Newcastle, for Emerson Charnley, etc., 1817).
The accompanying text contains testimony by Henry Smith, Clerk of Newcastle: ‘Received, about the 19th or 20th November, 1815, an order from G. Stephenson for a lamp, a sketch of which is annexed, as drawn by him at the time…’
George Stephenson (1781-1848) British colliery and railway engineer, trialled his safety lamps at Killingworth Colliery, North Tyneside, England, in 1815. The lamp was the subject of a dispute over priority of invention with Sir Humphry Davy. Stephenson’s lamp featured perforated plates, rather than the gauze in Davy’s design.
Plate (described as a ‘sketch’) from the monograph Report upon the claims of Mr. George Stephenson, relative to the invention of his safety lamp…by R.W. Brandling (Newcastle, for Emerson Charnley, etc., 1817).
The accompanying text contains testimony by Henry Smith, Clerk of Newcastle: ‘Received, about the 19th or 20th November, 1815, an order from G. Stephenson for a lamp, a sketch of which is annexed, as drawn by him at the time…’
George Stephenson (1781-1848) British colliery and railway engineer, trialled his safety lamps at Killingworth Colliery, North Tyneside, England, in 1815. The lamp was the subject of a dispute over priority of invention with Sir Humphry Davy. Stephenson’s lamp featured perforated plates, rather than the gauze in Davy’s design.
Associated place