LARD LAMP
DateJuly 3, 1855
Mediumtin
DimensionsOverall: 22.9 x 17.8 cm (9 x 7")
Object numberNostal-44
DescriptionAccession No. 26.160.4. The Hay's Lamp consists of a horizontally mounted cylindrical reservoir with a tangentially projecting wick compartment which acts as the lamp font proper. Replenishing of the font is accomplished by pressure on a crank connected to a shaft which passes axially through the cylinder and carries a paddle wheel inside. Moving this wheel in a clockwise direction forces lard into the font. Lamp is mounted on round coumn in center of round saucer base. Attached to lamp is original Patent Office tag marked: 13,170./ J.D. HAYS./ LARD LAMPS./ Patented July. 3rd/Rec. June/ 13/ -55 1855. Reverse reads: See P100/ Sci America 1855 ---bound/vol/ in cotton/ Cat. 251,480/ Acc. 48,880/ Patented -----------/1855/--.3.15063 A-B-C" A lard lamp [which] ... superficially resembles the Chamberlain lamp in having a cylindrical font, but the font does not rotate. Instead, there is an internal axial shaft to which is attached a vane. The shaft could be rotated by means of an external handle, so as to push fresh lard towards the wick tubes. There is an example in the Ford Museum. "Russell. A HERITAGE OF LIGHT, p.118.
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