Grand-Val's Perfect Time Indicating Lamp, circa 1880

01

Artifact Overview

Time lamps are much like today's night lights; mainly used in bedrooms. Hour numerals are pressed into the glass reservoir. As the kerosene burned overnight, the diminishing fuel was supposed to indicate the time. Though a clever novelty, they proved unreliable, as the level of consumption was inconsistent.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Time lamp

Date Made

circa 1880

Place of Creation

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

38.309.166

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Susan Stebbins Stark.

Material

Opaque white glass
Glass (Material)
Brass (Alloy)

Color

White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 6.75 in
Diameter: 2.75 in

Inscriptions

printed; "Pride of America - Time & Light - Grand-Vals Perfect Time Indicating Lamp"
Grand-Val's Perfect Time Indicating Lamp, circa 1880