Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel], February 13, 1910, Page 7, Image 59

About Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911

Image provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA

                
FEBRUARY 13, 1910.
of horn and oiled paper. Eastern na
tions delighted in glass lamps, and in
the mosque at Cairo are some very
elegant ones of the thirteenth and
Fourteenth centuries.
In the museum at Naples Ib a very
fine specimen of 1 intern. It was made
of twenty-eight divisions of bronze
wire, shaped like a basket, the wires
being threaded with crystal beads. Tn
the middle of the basket is the p!ace
for the light, which would be reflected
by all the crystal beads. This is a
very unique specimen.
The imtsi primitive lamps which me
dieval history tolls us of were skulls
of animals In which fat wns burned; in
some places sea shells were used in
tho rnme way. What B long- distance
from this crude way of lighting to the
ornate lamps of today, with their brll
llant flame! Those skull receptacles
gave way to those of pottery and
metal, but the principle for the natural
lamp was retained, as is proved by the
forms found in ancient Egyptian,
Greek and Roman lamps, and In the
stone cups and jugs of northern na
tions.
The pottery at first was unglazed
and the lamp contained only one wick
hole, but in time better material was
introduced, with more elaborate forms
and with increase! lighting power.
The wick was usually of flax tow, or
of rushes or some other vegetable
liber, while the solid fat of animals
was the chief Illuminating material.
The oils of the present day were, of
course, unknown. On the coast the oil
of the seal or the whale furnished the
Illumination.
Lamps were used among the north
ern nations of antiquity also, but the
colder climate necessitated a different'
kind of lamp. Small open stone pots,
afterward changed for metal, were
used. Lamps of this kind are occa
sionally dun up in Scotland and else
where, and the principle is the same as
the "padelle" used in Italian illumina
tions and in the old grease pots which
once formed the footlights of the thea
ter.
No great Improvement took place in
the construction of lamps until the be
ginning of the nineteenth century, it
is Btrange how many times the powers
of human invention remain passive in
■ome particular direction [or whole
cent Uriel and then suddenly leap into
activity. For nearly ISOO years of the
Christian era there was no substantial
improvement made in the principle of
the primitive lamp, composed of a wick
amidst grease. The outward form and
Suggestion for Entrance Lamp
LOS ANGELES HERALD SUNDAY MAGAZINE
A Modern Electric Reading Lamp
the material of which It was composed
might be changed, but the principle
of lighting remained the same.
During the latter part of the eight
eenth century there were only four
ways of lighting—the common dip can
dle for the rich and the oil lamp, fed
with fish oil, for the street and stair
ways. The constant muffing of the
candle was a drawback to its use, and
an Invention in 1799 for superseding
snuffing was considered a great ad
vance. Rut while inventors were rack
ing their wits over lighting matters a
new illuminating agent was discovered
which threatened to snuff out candles
completely.
The introduction of mineral (tils was
a radical improvement. It necessitated
a change in the body of the lamp; ac
cident discovered the us,. „1' the chim
ney. In 18f>0 Germany introduced into
Great Britain the lamp, which with
modifications and Improvements is
still adhered to. But these modifica
tions and improvements have been
made in the oils and in the burners,
until today t lie brilliant li^ht of a n""d
lamp is us far ahead Of the light from
a candle as the brilliant arc light is
ahead Of the first kerosene lamp.
The discovery of Illuminating gas
and its practical use, the application
Of electricity to lighting purposes are
both well known to the present genera
tion, but the use of these agents for
lighting purposes has not done away
with the body of the lamp. A look at
the present day specimens of tamps
for kerosene, for gas or for electricity
shows that in form and construction
we have as many beautiful and ornate
bronze and metal lamps as were ever
found in Egypt or in the ruins of
Pompeii.
GAYNOR AS A DOCTOR
"In Mayor Gaynor's early days on
the bench," said a Brooklyn lawyer, "a
prisoner's counsel s;i id. in the cours ;
of lii.s speech:
•' 'Medical witnesses will testify thai
JmkK Electric
•BPP Reading
Lamps
fr^T^^^/iF^ For the long evenings there is more pleas
™ •"'vr'"'" ' ure to be had from an Electric Reading
|[i Lamp than from almost anything else.
Beginning as low as $4.50, we offer excellent
flj* ' 1 Cf\ values up to any price one wishes to go. Every
*Jr * •*J\J lamp has been carefully chosen for its artistic
EACH qualities and splendid value.
Mission style reading lamps, suitable for bungalows. (t» i rA
Special at. $4.UU
Brass portables with pretty shades, giving rt» j» f\(\ I T
soft, comfortable light «t)O.UU Up
Beautiful Bradley and Hubbard Portables, two (Ul/i Aft
lights, metal and art glass shades «PiU.Uvl
Art glass floor lamps, 5 and 6 feet high, $100 and $200.
We invite you to visit our lamp department, as our exhibit
and prices will interest you.
Parmelee-Dohrmann Company
China, Silver, Glassware, Art and Household Goods.
■-.-.■■■ V':/. \ ■ •■ :...""iSS
.- ■■■..■ ■. •.' :.-■.■ ■■■....■.■■.• ■■ -
.... ■ >
Entrance Bracket Lamp
my unfortunate clipnt is suffering from
kleptomania, and, your honor, you
know what that is.'
" 'Yes, 1 said Judge Gaynor, 'I do, it
is a disease thn poopio pay mo to euro."
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