[CR]Re: Carbide bicycle lamps

(Example: Framebuilders:Tony Beek)

In-Reply-To: <136a573de0d1839ead99cd8277035cbb@verizon.net>
References: <136a573de0d1839ead99cd8277035cbb@verizon.net>
From: "Julius Naim" <julius.naim@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 07:47:35 +0000
To: Michael Allison <cyclo_one@verizon.net>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: Carbide bicycle lamps

Hi Michael and CR

When using a carbide lamp what do you do if you want to turn them off, doesn't the carbide continue to produce the gas until it's dry?

Thanks

Julius

On 19 Feb 2007, at 02:20, Michael Allison wrote:
>
>
> Hi Julius and CR:
>
> My mother's father and bothers were coal miners in Pennsylvania, so
> I learned about carbide lamps at and early age (1950s) when my
> grandfather gave me one of his lamps. I've been fascinated by them
> ever since, and over the years, used an old coal miners lamp (open
> flame) while on backpacking trips to light up my campsite. Calcium
> carbide was plentiful back then but has pretty much disappeared
> since. But the internet has changed all that, and now I'm able to
> buy carbide online ($8.00/lb), so I've got all my old lamps fired up.
>
> But a short history on carbide. It was discovered by a German
> scientist about the time of the American Civil War but perfected in
> the US in the 1890s. When water is dripped on carbide pellets, they
> give off acetylene gas which burns with a very white flame.
>
> I have two carbide bicycle lamps. One of which was restored with
> the generous help of CR member Neil Foddering. The bicycle lamps,
> unlike miners lamps, have a glass lens protecting the flame. Some
> of the older English carbide bicycle lamps are considered works of
> art. Recently, a 1900 lamp in working condition (made by Lucas of
> motorcycle electric fame) sold for $180.00. These lamps were used
> on all turn-of-the-century cars, motorcycles, trains, horse-drawn
> buggies, and bicycles.
>
> Michael "bubbling over" Allison

> New York, NY

> USA