ACETYLENE GAS LAMP, 1940's

A small tablet Calcium Carbide C2H2 is placed in the reservoir in the base, tap water is placed in a chamber above, this is released onto the tablet, on contact with water the tablet will fizz producing acetylene gas, which is ignited at the burner. The screw knob at the back to give varying amounts of light can control the rate of flow of the water. When the tablet has been exhausted the unit has to be cleaned before being reused. Through the glass can be seen the Carbide chamber at the bottom, the burner above, and behind this, the water reservoir which doubles as a reflector.

A1691