Poster Print : Davy miners lamp

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Davy miners lamp

Miners lamp. Bottom section of an early prototype for a miners safety lamp, designed by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1815. This was intended to prevent explosions due to fire damp, a mixture of gases including methane, found in coal mines. In this early design, small holes in the base allow a flow of air through the lamp and are led away at the top. A candle burning inside only has a restricted amount of oxygen in which to burn at any moment. If the air entering the lamp contains fire damp the flame burns brighter, using more oxygen and thus damping its own flame. Here the design was faulty and the prototype exploded. Davys final design hugely reduced explosions in coal mines around the world, saving thousands of lives. This object is on display at the

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 9203945

© ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

1815 19th Artefact Candle Century Coal Damp Davy Design Exhibit Exhibition Explosion Explosive Fire Flame Flammable Humphrey Institution Item Lamp Light London Methane Mine Miners Mining Museum Nineteenth Object Prevention Prototype Risk Royal Safety Test Cutouts

18x24 inch Poster Print

Bring a piece of mining history into your home or office with our stunning Davy Miner's Lamp Poster Print from the Media Storehouse collection. This beautifully detailed image, sourced from the Science Photo Library and the Royal Institution of Great Britain, showcases an early prototype of Sir Humphrey Davy's groundbreaking safety lamp, designed in 1815 to prevent explosions caused by fire damp. Add this captivating print to your decor and ignite conversation about the rich history of innovation and safety in the mining industry.

Poster prints are budget friendly enlarged prints in standard poster paper sizes. Printed on 150 gsm Matte Paper for a natural feel and supplied rolled in a tube. Great for framing and should last many years. To clean wipe with a microfiber, non-abrasive cloth or napkin. Our Archival Quality Photo Prints and Fine Art Paper Prints are printed on higher quality paper and the choice of which largely depends on your budget.

Poster prints are budget friendly enlarged prints in standard poster paper sizes (A0, A1, A2, A3 etc). Whilst poster paper is sometimes thinner and less durable than our other paper types, they are still ok for framing and should last many years. Our Archival Quality Photo Prints and Fine Art Paper Prints are printed on higher quality paper and the choice of which largely depends on your budget.

Estimated Product Size is 46.3cm x 61.6cm (18.2" x 24.3")

These are individually made so all sizes are approximate

Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with portrait (vertical) orientation to match the source image.

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the bottom section of an early prototype for a Davy miners lamp, designed by the brilliant Sir Humphrey Davy in 1815. The purpose of this ingenious invention was to prevent explosions caused by fire damp, a dangerous mixture of gases including methane commonly found in coal mines. In this particular design, small holes were strategically placed at the base of the lamp to allow a controlled flow of air, which would then be led away through the top. The concept behind this safety lamp was truly groundbreaking: as a candle burned inside the lamp, it had only limited access to oxygen at any given moment. If fire damp entered with the incoming air supply, causing an increase in methane concentration, the flame would burn brighter and consume more oxygen. This self-damping mechanism acted as a crucial warning sign for miners. Unfortunately, flaws in this early prototype resulted in its explosive demise. However, Davy's final design significantly reduced explosions worldwide and saved countless lives within coal mines across the globe. Now on display at a prestigious institution's exhibition hall, this historical artifact stands as a testament to both scientific innovation and human perseverance against risk and danger. Its presence serves as a reminder of how one man's determination can revolutionize an entire industry and contribute to our understanding of safety measures that continue to shape mining practices today.

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