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'Majestic' carbide bicycle lamp

1978.79.102

Collections items are not for sale.
A reproduction can be purchased.

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Titles: 'Majestic' carbide bicycle lamp (Supplied title)

Description: A 'Majestic' carbide bicycle lamp patented in 1899. The brass lamp functioned by slowly dripping water from the rounded reservoir into the barrel-like bottom tank which held calcium carbide (CaC2, a hard, grayish-black solid). This caused a release of acetylene gas which was subsequently burned for light. The lamp lens is mounted atop the water reservoir and has a clear lens in the bell-shaped frame at front, and two roughly cut green glass sidelights. The lamp has a semi-circular hook for mounting onto a bicycle. Made by Edward Miller and Company in Meriden, Connecticut.

Dates

  • Not earlier than 1900 (Use)
  • Exactly 07/04/1899 - Exactly 03/13/1900 (Patent date range) (Content)

Creation

Identifiers

  • Accession Number: 1978.79.102

Holding Type: 3D Objects

Quantity: 1 item

Format

  • Content Category: artifacts

Measurements

  • 12 centimeters depth
  • 8 centimeters width
  • 17 centimeters height

Subjects

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1978.79.102

Collections items are not for sale.
A reproduction can be purchased.

1978.79.102, top

Collections items are not for sale.
A reproduction can be purchased.