Davy Lamp

The Davy Lamp is a safety device invented in 1815 by Sir Humphry Davy to prevent explosions in coal mines. It consists of a flame enclosed within a fine wire mesh or perforated metal casing. The design allows light to shine through while preventing the flame from igniting flammable gases, such as methane, present in mines. The mesh blocks the flame from reaching explosive gases outside, reducing the risk of fire or explosion underground. The Davy Lamp significantly improved miners' safety by detecting dangerous gases early while enabling safe illumination in hazardous environments.