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Image of Carbide Bicycle Lamp and Metal Clamp, ca. 1912
1961.2407
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Image of Carbide Bicycle Lamp and Metal Clamp, ca. 1912
1961.2407_lamp
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Image of Carbide Bicycle Lamp and Metal Clamp, ca. 1912
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Image of Carbide Bicycle Lamp and Metal Clamp, ca. 1912
1961.2407_box
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Carbide Bicycle Lamp and Metal Clamp, ca. 1912

Carbide lamps, also known as acetylene gas lamps, burn acetylene gas while reacting with calcium carbide and water. They were invented in the 1890s and some of the earliest designs were for use as bicycle lamps. This lamp is from around 1914 and was built to clamp onto the front handlebars.
ID Number: 1961.2407
Date: Circa 1912
Physical Description: 1 Lamp, Carbide; metal, glass, cardboard; 7 in.H x 9 in.W x 3.5 in.D (lamp); 3.75 in.H x 5.5 in.W x 7.75 (box)
Credit: MOHAI, 1961.2407
Subjects: Recreation

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