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Before the wheel was invented, arguably the most important invention may have been the oil lamp. Early oil lamps were little more than a bowl filled with and oil-based fluid and any absorbant matter that could be partially submerged in the oil to act as a wick. Archaeological finds confirm that prehistoric man used a type of oil lamp approximately 20,000 years ago.
Available materials such as clay or shells were used and the wick was nothing more than an absorbent material to submerge in the oil, like the Diya. Oil lamps were uncomplicated and made from whatever material that was obtainable. Wicks could well have been fibers of flax, hemp or cotton that was twisted. The Diya is an exceptional example. Native to India, Diyas are and have been used in Sikh, Jain and Hindu religious events like Diwali. Over time, decorative metal and terra cotta oil lamps were created.
Simple oil lamps have evolved over time. The largest advancements were a protruding spout to retain the wick and keep the flame away from the oil and a hole added to load the lamp. Handles were added for transporting the lamp and other openings were made to suspend it. These small changes made the oil lamp safer to make use of and allowed it to burn more efficiently.
Leonardo Da Vinci was the earliest to enclose the flame of an oil lamp in a glass pipe back in the 15th century. He found this helped to protect the flame from the wind and get rid of the flicker. In 1780 Aime Argand invented an oil lamp that had a tubular wick mounted between a pair of concentric cylindrical metal tubes so that air is channeled through the middle of the wick, as well as outside of it. In addition to improving the brightness of the flame and less smoke, the cylindrical wick burned on both the inner and outer surfaces. The wick, when lit, burned a great deal better and did not need to be snuffed as frequently. Argand’s type of lamp along with many variations of it were used well into the 20th century. The invention of the light bulb by Thomas Edison took over but the basic fashion of this lamp, even though it used electric, remained the same. These types of lamps are commonly referred to as hurricane lamps.
Today’s hurricane lamps still have a chimney to make them look more authentic. One extremely well-liked lamp style is named the “Gone With The Wind Lamp” named after the Academy Award winning movie. A Gone With The Wind lamp is most frequently seen as possessing a larger base and shade that may be a clear or colored ornate glass or more often a hand painted base and flared glass lampshade adorned with a floral pattern.
Antique hurricane lamps and Gone With The Lamps are still very popular, sought after and very collectible and bring prices in the hundreds of dollars on up.