Kerosene Bicycle Lamp, circa 1882
01
Artifact Overview
Cyclists in the 1880s placed lamps like this Harvard "King" on one of the hubs or axles of a high-wheel tricycle. The wide space between the wheel's spokes, and the position of the hub closer to the road surface, proved an ideal space for the lamp. The oil lamp lit the nighttime road and alerted other travelers to the vehicle's presence.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Bicycle lamp
Date Made
circa 1882
Creators
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Made by Cunningham Company and J. Lucas & Son in Boston, Massachusetts.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
00.4.3874
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Brass (Alloy)
Zinc
Paint (Coating)
Glass (Material)
Color
Black (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 7.25 in
Width: 3.5 in
Length: 3.188 in
Inscriptions
Surrounding lens: KING OF THE ROAD / T.B.L.W.
Manufacturers plate: THE HARVARD "KING"/ THE CUNNINGHAM CO. / BOSTON U.S.A. / J. LUCAS & SON MAKERS / PATENTED
Stamped on bottom: 4
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