Demon Strikelight Carbide Lamp

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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

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2020.306

Item type

Objects

Material

Brass

Width

6 mm

Height or length

9.5000 mm

Themes

Social History

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

Lamp

Place made

Australia

Year

c. 1910

Primary significance criteria

Social or spiritual significance

Links to additional resources

Demon Strike Light (DSL)