The Safety Lamp

The safety lamp, invented by Sir Humphry Davy in 1815, is a device designed to provide light in hazardous environments like coal mines where flammable gases are present. It features a protective metal cage surrounding a flame, which prevents the flame from igniting the gases outside. The lamp's design limits the heat transferred to the surrounding air, reducing explosion risks. It allowed miners to work safely in smoky or gas-filled tunnels, significantly improving safety standards in underground mining operations. The safety lamp symbolizes advancements in industrial safety technology and helped prevent many accidents in mining history.