Lamps: History of Lighting

Numerous references from olden ages have illuminated the fact that lamps have been used to spread light, even before electricity was invented, and lighting was given a new meaning. The use of lamps can be broadly classified into two eras: The pre-electrical era and the post electrical era.

The Pre-electrical Era

The invention and first usage of lamp can be dated back to 70,000 BC. At that time, there was no metal or bronze to make lamps instead the then civilization used hollow rocks and shells. These hollow rocks were filled with moss and other natural substances and then soaked in animal fat. Animal fat acted as oil and this is how the first lamps were ignited.

With the advent of pottery, and the bronze and copper age, humans started to make lamps that imitated other natural shapes. Wicks came into existence much later and were used for controlling the flame or the rate of burning. In the 7th century BC, Greeks started using terra cotta lamps, which replaced the handheld torches. The word “lamp” has been derived from the Greek word “lampas”, which means “torch”.

Design Change

There was a major change in the design of lamps in the 18th century, when the central burner was invented. With the invention of the burner, a separate fuel source was made from metal. Another small change made was the addition of a metal tube that could be adjusted to control the intensity of the flame or light.

This was an important discovery in terms of lighting because with adjustment, humans were able to diminish the lighting or make it bright as required. Another aspect was added to the new lamp, which was in the form of small glass chimneys. The role of the glass chimney was to protect the flame as well as control the air flow.

Swiss chemist Ami Argand used the hollow circular wick in an oil lamp for the very first time in 1783.

Fuels for Lighting

Different kinds of fuels have been used for lighting a lamp between 70,000 BC and now. Most of the early forms of fuel were beeswax, olive oil, animal fat, fish oil, sesame oil, whale oil, nut oil etc. These were also among the most commonly used forms of fuel for lighting a lamp till the late 18th century.

Around 1859, the first drilling process was initiated to find petroleum and with the advent of kerosene, which is a derivative of petroleum, lamp became more popular and usage increased. Kerosene enabled lighting was first introduced in Germany in 1853.

During the same time two other products were used for Lamp Lighting purposes and they were natural gas and coal. The first use of coal gas lamps was in 1784.

Electrical Lighting Lamps

Lamps have actually come a long way from usage of coal gas to electricity. In 1801, Sir Humphrey Davy of England invented the electric carbon arc lamp, which was the first of its kind. The working principle for this lamp was simple and included hooking of two carbon rods to an electrical source.

The carbon rods were kept at a distance from each other so that electrical current could flow through the arc and thus vaporize carbon to create white lighting. Around 1857, A.E. Becquerel of France came out with the theory of fluorescent lighting in lamps. In the 1870’s, the unthinkable happened with Thomas Edison inventing the first electric incandescent lamp. Since then incandescent lamps were used for lighting purposes in homes till about the early 20th century.

In 1901, Peter Cooper Hewitt patented his new invention, the mercury vapor lamp. This was another type of arc lamp that enhanced lighting using mercury vapors, which were enclosed in a glass bulb. The Mercury vapor lamps set the prototype for fluorescent lighting lamps.

The Neon lamp was invented by Georges Claude of France in 1911 followed by Irving Langmuir, an American who invented the electric gas-filled incandescent lamp in 1915. In 1927, Hans Spanner, Friedrich Meyer, and Edmund Germer patented the first fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamps provided better lighting as compared to the mercury vapor lamps because they were coated from inside with beryllium.

Since then we have been using different form of lighting in lamps, which includes Mercury vapors, incandescent lamps and even today, in some corners of the earth people still use the old wick and oil lamp for lighting their homes.

About the Author

Moe Tamani is an importer of Moroccan lamps and contributes on several Moroccan related sites as well as a designer of Henna Lamps.

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Antique Lamps – Outstandingly Rare Minton Lamps

In 1793, Thomas Minton, now a master potter having just finished his apprenticeship with Josiah Spode as a copper plate engraver, opened his small Staffordshire pottery at Stoke-on Trent, the very heart of the English ceramic industry.  This small beginning was to grow into a major ceramic manufacturing company with an international reputation.

Everyone knows of the famous “Willow” pattern, but did you know that Thomas Minton is regarded as the one who first engraved this well known print!  Minton is said to have been inspired on hearing the old Chinese legend of the rich Mandarin’s young daughter eloping with his secretary.  As the pattern shows, the young lovers are pursued by the enraged father, however, the goddess of mercy, seeing the drama, turns the fleeing couple into swallows who fly away together.

Thomas Minton’s son, Herbert, (1793–1858), succeeded his father as head of the firm and to him was due its development and reputation as a leader of porcelain production.

In the 1820’s he started production of bone china.  This early Minton is regarded as comparable to French Sèvres, by which it was greatly influenced. 

Our Minton lamps shown were made in 1863 and are typical of the very high standards reached by this time.

An extremely rare pair of 19th century, English Minton vases as Table

lamps. The lamps imitating the design of oriental water jars.

The lamps glazed in an even pale celadon with moulded and applied white porcelain “rope”. The necks of the lamps with a continuous band of open cut-work in the style of traditional Chinese window screens,

the lamp necks designed to allow the celadon glazed porcelain

to be viewed through the screens!

The lamps skilfully modelled to appear as if tied in white knotted rope.

The bases of the lamps with a continuous band of scrolling cut-work,

with evenly spaced round headed pegs as ties for the rope.

The lamps with gilded, turned, solid bronze bases and caps.

This stunning pair of lamps, the quality of which is self evident,

are in remarkable condition considering the complexity of the design.

In private correspondence with the UK Wedgwood/Minton museum, this

pair of lamps were described as “highly important”.

The shape was exhibited by Minton at the 1862 London International Exhibition where they were described as “a pair of vases, glazed celadon ground, rope festoons in white, perforated neck and perforated foot”.

The vase shape was registered in 1863 as “in the Chinese style”.

Overall height (including shades)   25″/63cm

The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique table Lamp Lighting with an on-line range of over 100 unique, antique and Vintage Lamps on view.

Lamps are shipped ready wired for the U.S, the U.K and Australia.

You are invited to visit their web site at www.antiquelampshop.com

© The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co 2009

About the Author

Maurice Robertson, principal of The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co , has had a lifetime’s association with antique porcelain and pottery,with his commercial experience spaning a period of 40 years,including as a valuer to the Australian Government’s Incentive to the Arts Scheme. His long experience with antique ceramics and glass also includes dealing with leading museums and numerous international private collections. He has extended his ceramics expertise into the quality Table Lamps seen on the company’s site, he is well known to local and international interior designers who have included many of his table lamps in their projects and has also supplied items of national interest to the official Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister.

Eurofase 13636-012 Laurel Small Candlestick, Pewter/Antique Bronze $23.85 …

Hillsdale Furniture 4708-831 Kendall Swivel Bar Stool, Pewter $185.99 Finish:Pewter/Antique Bronze, Upholstery:Fawn Faux Suede, Seat Height:30′ The elegance of the Kendall stool is brought forth by its intricate details. Notice on the back the twisting spindles topped by arches and how this motif is carried into the stools legs. The pewter base with antique bronze highlighting finish and faux suede fawn (beige) fabric seat adds a warm glow to complete the wonderful …

Antique Bronze Decorative Fruit Bowl $60.00 This Fruit Bowl is classic style to put in your house. Add this stylish, unique and great item to your room to your home decor. Easy assembly instructions included….

SONG OF THE LAMP 7 INCH (7 45) UK BRONZE 1981 /EX…

House of Troy Classic Traditional Picture Light $281.00 Length:42′ Width, Finish:Gold Wrinkle, Light Bulb:(6)40w T10 Med F Incand Classic traditional picture light. 8′ Ivory Cord with in-line switch Adjustable 5′-7′ horizontal arm with ball swivel at shade Shade length should be one-half the width of the image it is illuminating…

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Getting a Perfect Skin Bronze

When making a trip to the beach, you usually go equipped with several things. A towel, a hat and sunglasses, a big bottle of sun block, comfortable clothes and slippers, lots of water and, if you’re planning to spend most of the day there, maybe a chair and a large umbrella. But sometimes, even with all these preparations, the day ends with your skin either too dark or too red to look attractive. This is only natural; there is no way to control or accurately predict the strength of the sun rays, and thus no way to measure how long you need to stay in it to get that perfect shade of bronze that you crave.

There are a few ways to get the shade of your choice but of all those, only two are worth mentioning. The first is temporary, cheap and easy to apply. Tanning lotions can be found at any drugstore or supermarket with instructions as to how to get the best effects. All you have to do is rub the lotion evenly over your skin and sit long enough to let it dry, which usually isn’t more than ten minutes. If you require a darker shade, simply add another layer on top of the first one, and so on. If you’re in a rush for your tan, this is the way to go.

The other method is not cheap and not very fast, but doesn’t come off in the shower either. Using a tanning bed regularly will ensure that your tan stays, and the color is entirely controllable. All you have to do is adjust the Lamps to the strength that you want. If you don’t know exactly how high they should be, simply ask around in a nearby fitness center or spa or check the accompanying manual. Spreading a little oil on your skin before diving under the lamps can make the process a little faster. However, lying under them for hours on end is not healthy and will do more harm than good in the long run.

Of course, both of these methods don’t give you the joy and relaxation you can get from the beach, even if your skin gets a little burned as a sacrifice. Science, no matter how convenient, cannot compete against the beauty of nature. It is unfortunate that most people do not have the time to enjoy much of it and reap the benefits.

About the Author

Suntan-bed.com provides you with information on how to determine what the best tanning beds are and where you can get your tanning bed supplies. Http://www.suntan-bed.com/

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Indian Bronze Sculptures – Class Apart

India is a very large country that is often broken down into regions when it comes to bronze history. South Indian bronze was also strongly tied to the gods and goddess statues representative of Hinduism, but had heights in flourishing popularity from the 8th century throughout the 16th century.

The Eastern regional bronze items of various gods such as Vishnu and Shiva were most always created in the area’s Buddhist monasteries. In South India, bronze was used to make jewelry, coins, numerous variations of the Hindu gods and goddesses in representational forms.

The Chola period was the first in the detail, clarity and overall formations of their bronze statues.

Bronze has long been known throughout history of touching several cultures all over the world for many centuries, and just as each of the other cultures of past time, India too carries its own unique relationship with the material of bronze. India’s connection with bronze has gone back over 3000 years, and is still a very widely used metal today for many things, but it is most commonly associated with India’s statues of gods and goddesses within the religions.

India is a very large country that is often broken down into regions when it comes to bronze history. These regional areas with the distinct beginnings of bronze are Western Indian bronze, the Eastern Indian bronze, and the South Indian bronze The sculptural bronze that flourished within Western Indian bronze is of the time periods ranging from 6th century to the 12th century, and had a strong bond with mostly Jainism. The Eastern Indian bronze is found to have been its strongest during the 9th century, and had its biggest associations with Shiva and Vishnu of Hinduism. South Indian bronze was also strongly tied to the gods and goddess statues representative of Hinduism, but had heights in flourishing popularity from the 8th century throughout the 16th century.

The bronze casting methods used within India during these centuries were crafted by the Lost-Wax Casting Method, and most all were of religious representation of some realm. The Western region did include various items such as incense burners and other ritual objects like lamp bearers. Many of the statues in this region were most always highly decorated with eyes of jewels, and inlays of gold or silver to enhance, and beautify their god or goddess. The Eastern regional bronze items of various gods such as Vishnu and Shiva were most always created in the area’s Buddhist monasteries. In South India, bronze was used to make jewelry, coins, numerous variations of the Hindu gods and goddesses in representational forms.

It was during the Chola period that the bronze statues would include sensuality, clothing of detail and extra adorning jewelry. The Chola period was the first in the detail, clarity and overall formations of their bronze statues. There is also the creativity of idealistic balance and realism in a manor of heroism.

It is in this time period that the many famous formations of Shiva were born such as Shiva is detailed with Lakshmi, there is the dancing Shiva, Shiva and Parvati and so forth.

About the Author

Anita Satin Choudhary writes for Ivory and Art Gallery. Browse the gallery for unique collection of artifacts ranging from
Mammoth Ivory Netsukes
to
Agate Sculpture
and
Silver Art
.

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