Illumination-Techniques (Mining Lamps) in the Mining Areas of Styria (Austria)

Abstract: Since the beginning of underground mining in neolithic times, mining lamps have undergone a remarkable development. In the beginning very simple illumination-techniques were used. Up to the first decades of the 19th century in european mines pine-torch, candle, tallow lamp and oil lamp were the most common sources of light. The increasing risk of firedamps in coalmines led to the invention of the safety lamp in 1815. Numerous innovations during the 19th century led to a large amount of different types of mining lamps. At the beginning of the 20th century the acetylene and later on the electric lamp removed most other sources of light. At the present time the electric cap lamp is the only type of mining lamp used in European mines. Historical mining lamps (candle sticks, tallow lamps, oil lamps, etc.) used in Styria up to the beginning of the 20th century show a very specific type of construction, that indicates influences not only of other mining areas in the eastern alps but also of the considerable mining centres in Hungary and Slovakia.

Key Words: Mining lamps; Styria; Mining-history; Illumination-techniques; Manufacturers of mining-lamps.

Joannea Geol. Paläont. 7: 147-191 (2005)