002.195.Idrija

Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Center, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Republic of Slovenia

/

Mine, Daily life

Carbide lamps, used in the Idrija Mine, were designed differently from the acetylene lamps, which were used in other mines. The collection contains 4 carbide lamps. The original numbering on them is blurred – the number on the carbide lamp matched the miner’s registration number on control panel (fatal hour) in front of the pit’s entrance. Carbide lamps are composed of two parts. In the lower part, the carbide is installed (10 hours of burning with a single loading of 17dag of carbide), its loading is enabled by the bolt at the bottom of the carbide lamp. The upper part contains water, its flow is regulated with a regulator. The burner (“brener”) is composed of two parts. Its supporting part is attached to the surface of the bottom part of the carbide lamp, in an “L” shape. The top has a handle, which ends with a simple hooked hanger (hook). The described carbide lamps do not have a light reflector.

Length 16 cm, diameter 9 cm.

Steel.

First half of the 20th century

Manufacturer information is not known.

For carbide lamp operation, optimum water flow was crucial. The water dripped from the upper part of the carbide lamp onto the carbide (in the lower part), and the process was regulated. Carbide in contact with water produced the gas for the lighting – acetylene. These lamps gave off more than three to four times more light than oil lamps and were also more affordable. After 1913, the miners used the carbide lamp for going into and out of the pit and to light the area of the ore digging. The carbide lamps, which gave off much better light, were also used for private purposes - for various tasks such as bobbin lacemaking and socialising in the evenings. They were also a good indicators of gas in the pit, as they turned off when the concentration of the gas was too strong. The handle was used for hanging the lamp on the belt. The hook was used for hanging the lamp on the beam or the rock crack. In 1960s, they started using battery lamps for working in the pit. The miners mostly sold their carbide lamps to the surrounding villages of Idrija, where there were used until electrification (1970).

The carbide lamps (4 in total) are being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. They are a part of the CUDHg Mining Collection. Visitors can view them within the permanent museum display Anthony's Main Road. The carbide lamps are a part of the presentation that represents the entire story of mining in the Idrija Mercury Mine and with the related work process.

Idrija Mercury Mine (working equipment of a miner); Francis' shaft lamp house

Anthony's Main Road, Kosovelova 3, SI-5280 Idrija.

The carbide lamps are fully preserved with all original parts. Security of the premises is ensured.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- CUDHg Inventory Book.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

6. 3. 2018

Never