DAVY LAMP- THE FIRST SAFETY LAMP IN MINING



Detail of group photograph (below)
© Nederlands Mijnmuseum

The Davy lamp, invented in 1815 by Sir Humphry Davy, became a symbol of the innovation process in mining around 1880. It was the first lamp to be introduced to the market specifically designed with safety measures in mind. (Gales 1993: 20) The lamp was developed to protect miners from firedamp explosions.

Before the introduction of the Davy lamp, mining primarily relied on oil lamps with open flames, such as the so-called Frosch lamp. The use of open flames posed a significant underground hazard. In combination with firedamp, which can occur in coal mining, there was a risk of dangerous, potentially fatal, explosions.

(Gales, B.P.A.: Delfstoffen, Machine- en Scheepsbouw. Mijnbouw, Machinebouw. Scheepsbouw. In: Geschiedenis van de techniek in Nederland. De wording van een moderne samenleving 1800-1890. Deel IV.  Delfstoffen, machine- en scheepsbouw. Stoom. Chemie. Telegrafie en telefonie, 1993, p. 20)

Group photograph of miners at the Domaniale Mine in Kerkrade, 1884. Many miners wear a Davy lamp around their necks for the photo. The Domaniale Mine is the only mine in the Netherlands where the Davy lamp was used. 
© Nederlands Mijnmuseum