Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Carbide Bicycle Lamp, c. 1898-1917 |
Object Name |
Lamp, Bicycle |
Description |
Carbide Bicycle Lamp, c. 1898-1917. Silver cylindrical metal base narrows then widens to spherical center with a raised circular lid. Lid has embossed pattern and text reading, "Solar". Canister base screws into circular light mechanism. Side has glass lens with metal cone frame. Opposite side has flat circular container that has a rounded opening with a screw top. Below container is a circular metal ring to attach to bicycle. Spherical center has a green gem-like piece on one side and red gem-like piece on the other. Manufactured by the Badger Brass Manufacturing Company, Kenosha Wisconsin. The lamp burns acetylene gas which is formed by a combination of water and Calcium Carbide. The drip of water into the Calcium Carbide is adjusted by a valve for 1 drip per second. |
Date |
c. 1898-1917 |
Creator |
Badger Brass Manufacturing Company, Kenosha, Wisconsin |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Catalog Number |
2013.007.009 |
Dimensions |
H-7.25 W-3.375 D-5.25 inches |
Collection |
3D - Land Transportation Tools & Equipment |
Inscription Text |
"SOLAR" (Embossed on top lid); "THE BADGER BRASS MFG. CO. / KENOSHA, WIS. U.S.A." (Embossed on back container); "PAT IN US. FEB.4.1896. / JAN.31.1899. / FEB.7.1899. / " " ENGLAND / FEB.4.1896. / MAY12.1898. / " " CANADA / JUN.15.1899." (Engraved on bottom) |
Notes |
"Carbide lamps, or acetylene gas lamps, are simple lamps that produce and burn acetylene (C2H2) which is created by the reaction of calcium carbide (CaC2) with water (H2O). "Acetylene gas lamps were used to illuminate buildings, as lighthouse beacons, and as headlights on motor-cars and bicycles. Portable acetylene gas lamps, worn on the hat or carried by hand, were widely used in mining in the early twentieth century. They are still employed by cavers, hunters, and cataphiles. Small carbide lamps called "carbide candles" or "smokers" are used for blackening rifle sights to reduce glare. They are used because of the sooty flame produced by acetylene." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbide_lamp 09/14/2020 ] "The lamps were initially manufactured at the Badger Brass Manufacturing Co., which was founded in 1898 by four businessmen, Charles N. Frost, George A. Yule, Richard Welles and E.L. Williams." [http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/history_mystery_badger_brass_illuminated_bicycles_and_autos_306041485.html 7/21/2015] |
Search Terms |
Badger Brass Manufacturing Company, Kenosha, Wisconsin Bandit Built Store Bicycles Bicycling Brass Cavalli Family Cavalli Bros. Store La Honda - Businesses Lamps |
Subjects |
Bicycles & tricycles Brass industry Brasswork Lamps |
People |
Cavalli Family Cavalli, Charles and Frank |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Milton Cavalli |