Wheat Lamp Electric Miner's Headlamp

Object/Artifact

-

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

Name/Title

"Wheat Lamp" Electric Miner's Headlamp

Entry/Object ID

MW.0175

Description

Electric headlamp comprised of a belt-worn rechargeable battery inside a red plastic case with metal lid, attached by a cord to a lamp which was affixed to the front of the helmet.

Context

The Koehler Manufacturing Company produced this battery-powered cap lamp during the first half of the 20th century. Inventor Grant Wheat designed this lamp, leading to this type of lamp being called a “Wheat Lamp.”

Collection

Coal Mining Tools, Fred Barkey Collection

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Koehler Manufacturing Company

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Embossing

Location

front of battery case

Transcription

LIQUID <--------> LEVEL CAUTION: CONTAINS LEAD AND SULPHURIC ACID, HANDLE WITH CARE. DO NOT DROP, BURN, OR PUNCTURE. DISPOSE OF PROPERLY. MAY (_________) GAS. KEEP AWAY FROM ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION. WHEAT 4 VOLT BATTERY U.S. PATENT NO. 3301713 DES. PATENT NO. 204798 (Koehler logo) MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U. S. A.

Type

Inscription

Location

metal lid of battery pack

Transcription

PERMISSIBLE ELECTRIC CAP LAMP APPROVAL 6D-36 ISSUED TO KOEHLER MANUFACTURING CO. CAUTION: User must not open headpiece or battery housing CERTIFIED ELECTRIC CAP LAMP CANADA EM&R COAL MINES NO.61L-2

Type

Inscription

Transcription

Peabody #7

Material/Technique

Inscribed

Material

Plastic, Metal

Web Links and URLs

"Wheat Lamp" at National Museum of American History