subject: Things You Need To Know About Old Oil Lamps [print this page] The word 'lamp' comes from the Greek word 'lampas'. Oil lamps are one of the greatest inventions ever made. Old oil lamps offer a wonderful way to lighten up your home. An oil lamp is a device that uses oil or other fuel to produce light continuously for a long period of time. Oil lamps are one of the oldest sources of lighting. Lamps were widely used as an alternative to candles before the invention of electric powered lights.
It is very difficult to determine the exact date when the first ever oil lamp was used. According to various theories lamp like objects were used for the first time during 70,000 BC. Several archaeologists estimate that the cave men used hollow stones and seashells containing animal fat or pine pitch to produce light. The lamps used by Greeks, Romans and Egyptians were made from clay or terra cotta. They used animal fats or olive oil as fuel.
One of the most important parts of an old oil lamp is wick. The wick is positioned over the nozzle. It extends into the fuel chamber of the lamp. Wicks are made of a wide range of materials, including linen, papyrus, flax, tow and rush. The consumption of fuel depends on the number of nozzles and thickness of the wick. More the number of nozzles, the greater is the fuel consumption. Lamps with thin wicks burn fuel slowly as compared to lamps with the thick ones. The size of the flame is not much effected by the thickness of the wick.
Old oil lamps are lighted with the oils extracted from fish, whale, animals, vegetables, nuts, peanuts, castor beans, carrots, mustard, nettle, soybean, canola, hemp seed, sunflower seed, sesame and coal. Other fuels used to light oil lamps are beeswax, kerosene, petroleum, bio-diesel, paraffin and ghee.
The old oil lamps are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs and materials. Materials commonly used to make the oil lamps are clay, terra cotta, silver, gold, bronze, alabaster and stones. The old oil lamps are widely used in historical sites, log cabins, hotels, lodges and museums.
Oil lamps play an important role in religious ceremonies. They are lit during marriages to ward off evil effects. Old oil lamps offer a cost effective way to start an antique collection. These eye-catching collectibles are also used for decorative purposes. An oil lamp also serves as a useful item during a power outrage. You can easily find these antique collectibles at online auctions, online stores, antique stores and yard sales.
