ILLUMINATING
HUMANITY'S
JOURNEY
The History of the Oil Lamp
For the majority of its existence, humanity has lived in darkness. In the absence of modern technology, our ancestors relied on ingenious innovations to overcome the challenges of the night. Among these, oil lamps and oil lanterns played a pivotal role in illuminating our path, providing light in the darkest hours and serving as beacons of hope.
Around 15 000 years ago, our ancestors began experimenting with burning various substances to create a more controlled and reliable source of light.
Initially, materials like dried grass, animal fat, and wood were used, but it was the discovery of liquid oils that truly revolutionized the concept of artificial lighting.
The Primordial Struggle with Darkness
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The history of oil lamps is as rich and varied as the civilizations that have thrived under their warm glow. From the earliest shell lamps to the intricate metal designs of the Byzantine era, oil lamps have been a constant companion to humanity, illuminating the dark corners of history.
The earliest known oil lamps are thought to be roughly 10 - 15,000 years old, being rather rudimentary pots made from stones or shells. Current thinking is that moss soaked in animal fats was used as a wick and fuel. From here, oil lamps took on a more structured form; the typical dish-like design with spouts for the wicks has its roots here. These are know as ‘shell-shaped’ lamps, open topped and shallow dishes favoured by the early ancient Mesopotamian civilisations, such as the Sumerians and the Hittites.
The Herodian lamp is one example of the first clay oil lamps, and is named after Herod the Great, a king of Judea who reigned from 37 BCE to 4 BCE.
It was also at this point in time, around 5,000 years ago, that another seemly innocent yet revolutionary human invention appeared - the potters wheel. Not only was crockery more uniform, but so to were various other utensils, including oil lamps, which were now much more aesthetically pleasing, practical, and efficient. Eventually closed variants with lids were developed, once again making the lamps more practical to transport and carry.
The Mesopotamians used various plant oils, such as sesame and olive, as well as animal fats for fuel, something that would have been a nuisance attracting insects and rodents, yet the addition of the clay lid drastically reduced this. These lamps were not only objects of utility, but also held religious significance, often used in temples and rituals.
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As the Mediterranean grew in influence during the Iron age, the Greeks played a significant role in the evolution of oil lamps. Known for their craftsmanship, Greek lamps were highly sought after, particularly for their pinched or folded rim design, metallic glazes and signature ornamentation. Greek lamps were often made from terracotta and featured a glossy black slip, preventing oil from seeping through the porous clay. The Greeks also experimented with multiple nozzles and handles, adding both functionality and aesthetic appeal to their lamps.
Just as the Romans saw themselves as successors of Greek culture, so did their lamps. Along with the inherited quality of craftsmanship and the use of multiple nozzles, they added their own innovations, such as a more enclosed body that allowed for elaborate decorations on the discus (the flat area surrounding the wick hole). Not only did this improve fuel efficiency and safety, it allowed for highly intricate and ornate pieces of art to be depicted into terracotta. This could have been anything from a scene of life for a roman citizen, to dramatic renditions of myths and their heroes.
For the exception of a few tweaks and cultural differences, oil lamps saw little innovation once Rome fell, with the Byzantines maintaining much from the original designs of their ancestors. There are numerous examples of stone, ceramic, and metal lamps with various uses around the world - some were very much dish-like and used for spiritual ceremonies, some were ornamental, and some utilized early optics and glass to create lanterns - yet the basic principle of a receptacle with a spout for a wick almost never changed. This stagnation enabled their utilization into the new and rapidly spreading Abrahamic religions from the Near East into Europe and beyond, resulting in their symbolism being deeply intertwined with religious practices across various cultures. Lamps had always been a staple in spiritual affairs, thanks to the harnessing of light in a compact and manageable device, with its symbolism of purity and clear direction to what is good. In Christianity, for example, the lamp is symbolic of the individual, who, when they let in the holy spirit (the oil), they can illuminate the way to the Kingdom of God.
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It isn’t until 1780 when the next big leap in oil-based illumination came round. Aimé Argand, a Swiss physicist and chemist, designed a metal lamp with a sleeve-shaped wick mounted so that air can pass both through the canter and around the outside of it, before being drawn into a cylindrical chimney, steadying the flame and improving airflow. It quickly became a sought after replacement for the primitive oil lamps and candles used for millennia, particularly amongst the growing middle classes and academia, who used them to great effect to greatly increase their ability to study and read for longer. By the middle of the 19th century, as civilization began to develop exponentially and make groundbreaking and generation defining discoveries by the day, it was inevitable that the oil lamp would, once again, be updated, but this time it was the oil, not the lamp, that was due a make over. Kerosene was a safer, more efficient fuel than the various plant and animal fats used before, thanks to its relative purity as a hydrocarbon, and its lack of additional nutrients which make both animal and plant oils edible. This led to new designs, including the one that’s so synonymous today; a handheld metal and glass implement with a volume-controlling knob at the bottom. We all know what happened after this… The humble oil lamp gave way to the bulb incandescent light bulb, and eventually electricity. Oil lamps have all but been replaced by electric and gas-based lighting, being much more dangerous than the alternatives, never mind the other benefits we take for granted. Your light bulb in your lamp doesn’t need to refilled everyday, or need the wick replacing, nor do you run the risk of setting the room on fire if you knock it over. However, with any piece of antiquity, they continue to be used and are popular antiques. Many placed of worship use them still, and they offer a particular aromatic ambience when lit. The history of oil lamps is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability. From their rudimentary beginnings in shells and stones to the ornate terracotta masterpieces of the Greeks and Romans, oil lamps have been a constant yet evolving presence in human history. Their design and function may have been simple, but their impact was profound, illuminating not just our homes but also our temples, our rituals, and our imaginations. Despite the technological leaps that have since relegated them to antique shops and places of worship, oil lamps endure as a symbol of mankind's eternal quest to conquer darkness. Their history is not linear but a rich tapestry, woven from the threads of various civilizations and eras, each contributing to the story of this humble yet transformative invention.
The first kerosene lamp was patented on October 31, 1854, by Abraham Gesner. Gesner was a Canadian geologist and inventor who developed a method to refine kerosene from coal, which led to the creation of the kerosene lamp. Before that, lanterns functioned on oils and animal fats.
Patent No. 11,676