Research Type
InternetPerson
Shaun SliferDate
Jan 13, 2021Notes
In 1910 in the US, Congress established the US Bureau of Mining (USBM). This institution began its work researching and evaluating the safety of electric lighting technology. Two years later, they began conducting tests on how likely an incandescent bulb would end up igniting if its glowing filament was exposed.
Following the results, they introduced safety features into the lamp’s designs.
They also tested other attributes, including durability, liability to leak electrolyte, the period of operation, light output and more. The purpose was to create a testing process with certain conditions and requirements so that any future lamp would not end up causing ignition and would be suitable for use by miners.
In 1914, two engineers from the USBM, John Ryan and George Deike, got together and started the Mine Safety Applications Company. They enlisted the help of Thomas Edison to develop electric lamps that miners could use.
He created a rechargeable battery that was small enough to be carried on the miner’s belt and later on the cap. Thus, the first electric headlamp by Edison was approved by the USBM in 1915.
(https://www.torchspot.com/miners-headlamp-history)Research Type
ContributorPerson
Brian WedekindDate
Mar 11, 2023Notes
[email 3/11/23 re: online exhibit]
I just wanted to give you a little more information on this artifact. This light could be reconfigured into a flashlight by sliding the bail up to form a carrying handle and attaching the light head to the front of the bail. The excess cord could be tucked into the compartment to keep it from getting in the way. I used to have this same lamp (it's long since lost) when I was in high school (I graduated in 1985) and used it as a flashlight since the strap on the lamphead was shot. I got it at a flea market in the Somerset, PA area sometime around 1980.
