Geordie lamp
Encyclopedia
The Geordie lamp was invented by George Stephenson
in 1815 as a solution to explosions due to firedamp
in coal mines.
Although controversy arose between Stephenson's design and the Davy lamp
, (invented by Humphry Davy
in the same year), Stephenson's original design worked on significantly different principles. If the only way air could get to the flame
was restricted (a baseplate pierced by a number of small-bore brass
tubes was the usual way of doing this) and the lamp body above the flame lengthened, then the same amount of air could get to the flame, but would pass through the flow restriction at a velocity higher than the velocity of the flame in a mixture of firedamp
(mostly methane
) and air. This, then, prevented an explosive backblast
that might light the surrounding air.
Stephenson's design used glass to surround the flame, which cut out less of the light than Davy's, where the gauze surrounded it. But this also posed the danger of breakage in the harsh conditions of mineworking, which problem was not resolved until the invention of safety glass
. Stephenson tried several different designs in early years and later adopted Davy's gauze in preference to the tubes and it was this revised design that was used for most of the 19th century as the Geordie lamp.
The name is possibly the route by which 'Geordie
' became the familiar and affectionate epithet
for North Easterners, deriving from a diminutive form of the inventor's first name, George. However, using two Brockett serials in their Chronological order, the North Eastern pitmen appear to have shared the name Geordie with the Stephenson lamp
George Stephenson
George Stephenson was an English civil engineer and mechanical engineer who built the first public railway line in the world to use steam locomotives...
in 1815 as a solution to explosions due to firedamp
Firedamp
Firedamp is a flammable gas found in coal mines. It is the name given to a number of flammable gases, especially methane. It is particularly commonly found in areas where the coal is bituminous...
in coal mines.
Although controversy arose between Stephenson's design and the Davy lamp
Davy lamp
The Davy lamp is a safety lamp with a wick and oil vessel burning originally a heavy vegetable oil, devised in 1815 by Sir Humphry Davy. It was created for use in coal mines, allowing deep seams to be mined despite the presence of methane and other flammable gases, called firedamp or minedamp.Sir...
, (invented by Humphry Davy
Humphry Davy
Sir Humphry Davy, 1st Baronet FRS MRIA was a British chemist and inventor. He is probably best remembered today for his discoveries of several alkali and alkaline earth metals, as well as contributions to the discoveries of the elemental nature of chlorine and iodine...
in the same year), Stephenson's original design worked on significantly different principles. If the only way air could get to the flame
Flame
A flame is the visible , gaseous part of a fire. It is caused by a highly exothermic reaction taking place in a thin zone...
was restricted (a baseplate pierced by a number of small-bore brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
tubes was the usual way of doing this) and the lamp body above the flame lengthened, then the same amount of air could get to the flame, but would pass through the flow restriction at a velocity higher than the velocity of the flame in a mixture of firedamp
Firedamp
Firedamp is a flammable gas found in coal mines. It is the name given to a number of flammable gases, especially methane. It is particularly commonly found in areas where the coal is bituminous...
(mostly methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
) and air. This, then, prevented an explosive backblast
Explosion
An explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. An explosion creates a shock wave. If the shock wave is a supersonic detonation, then the source of the blast is called a "high explosive"...
that might light the surrounding air.
Stephenson's design used glass to surround the flame, which cut out less of the light than Davy's, where the gauze surrounded it. But this also posed the danger of breakage in the harsh conditions of mineworking, which problem was not resolved until the invention of safety glass
Safety glass
Safety glass is glass with additional safety features. Designs include:* Toughened glass * Laminated glass* Wire mesh glass...
. Stephenson tried several different designs in early years and later adopted Davy's gauze in preference to the tubes and it was this revised design that was used for most of the 19th century as the Geordie lamp.
The name is possibly the route by which 'Geordie
Geordie
Geordie is a regional nickname for a person from the Tyneside region of the north east of England, or the name of the English-language dialect spoken by its inhabitants...
' became the familiar and affectionate epithet
Epithet
An epithet or byname is a descriptive term accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, divinities, objects, and binomial nomenclature. It is also a descriptive title...
for North Easterners, deriving from a diminutive form of the inventor's first name, George. However, using two Brockett serials in their Chronological order, the North Eastern pitmen appear to have shared the name Geordie with the Stephenson lamp