What Is the Davy Lamp?
The Davy lamp was invented in 1815 by Sir Humphry Davy as a safe source of light in coal mines that were prone
to explosions due to the presence of flammable gases. His lamp also served as a gas detector, ironically leading to
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What Is the Davy Lamp?
The Davy lamp was invented in 1815 by Sir Humphry Davy as a safe source of light in coal mines that were prone
to explosions due to the presence of flammable gases. His lamp also served as a gas detector, ironically leading to
more coalmine explosions. Another safety light, the Geordie lamp, was introduced in 1816, sparking a debate
about which lamp was safer and more effective. A modern version of the Davy lamp is still used in modern coal
mines.
Davy discovered that the gases found in coal mines, called firedamp or minedamp, would not be ignited by a
lamp whose flame was contained within a fine wire mesh. The mesh screen surrounding the Davy lamp's flame
allowed air to pass through to support combustion while preventing the lamp from igniting the firedamp. Miners
also used the Davy lamp as a gas detector; in the presence of flammable gases, the lamp's flame grew in height
and became more blue. The Davy lamp was also used to signal a lack of oxygen, as its flame
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