Demon Strikelight Carbide Lamp

c. 1910
Subcollections
Overview

This small Demon Strikelight carbide lamp is made of brass (now painted black), has a water chamber with smooth sides, a ribbed carbide container and a broad spade hook for carrying on a helmet.

Historical information

The principal of using the calcium carbide flammable gas by-product, acetylene, was discovered as early as 1862 and lamps powered like this were known as Carbide Lamps. Use of carbide lamps began in the early 1900s and lasted into the 1950s but they were most popular in the period from 1910 to the 1920s. When introduced the Carbide lamps represented a significant technological advance as they produced a steady flame four to ten times brighter than candles or oil lamps.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-124-2020.306
Item type
Material
Width
6 mm
Height or length
9.5000 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On the water chamber lid is embossed

DEMON
STRIKELIGHT

Contextual Information

The design of the carbide lamp consists of two chambers, an upper chamber holding water & a lower chamber holding the calcium carbide. Acetylene gas is produced when water from the lamp's upper level encounters the calcium carbide stored in the base via a dripping mechanism. These lamps could be attached to helmets.

Carbide lamps were popular until they were replaced by electricity in the 1920s and were widely used during WWI and in the mining industry.

Whilst documentation exists that clearly states the Demon Strikelight was manufactured in Australia no manufacturer is attributed.

Keywords
Place made
Australia
Year
Primary significance criteria
Social or spiritual significance
Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

Organisation Details
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Demon Strikelight carbide lamp
Demon Strikelight carbide lamp
Concave reflector and missing bulb
Concave reflector and missing bulb
Demon Strikelight embossing on the upper surface
Demon Strikelight embossing on the upper surface

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