Percorsi nella Storia di Roviano/Routes into the History of Roviano Percorsi nella Storia di Roviano May 2017 | Page 34

The carbide lamp The carbide lamp is composed of two overlapping cylinders. The lower one is a fuel reservoir, the smaller upper one contains water. A groove runs from the latter and contains a double bar ending with a hook. On the top of the small reservoir there is a small hole for the water, while in the centre, above a screw for the regulation of the water flow, there is a valve for gas release. Through the upper reservoir runs a small vertical channel. The carbide lamp illuminated the mine tunnel, and before electricity was available, it also illuminated rooms in people’s homes. 33