76 BULLETIN 141^ UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



gineering in an early period of the age of progress. Thus while oil 

 lamps were subject to endless and mostly unsuccessful experimenta- 

 tion, gas, though localized on account of engineering problems of 

 distribution, has been from the first a most satisfactory illuminant. 

 Collections of illumination devices usually contain few examples of 

 gas burning apparatus. On Plate 1, Figure 22, in the development 

 of illumination series is shown a Welsbach mantle lamp in which 

 science has done so much to foster the use of gas as an illuminant. 

 A gas lamp with improved burner having a lever by which the flow 

 in the burner is controlled is shown on Plate 656, Figure 4. In this 

 specimen the gas issues from a ring of tine orifices on the ring top 

 of the burner. The flame is ventilated on both sides as in the 

 Argand. (Cat. No. 325651, Washington, D. C; Walter Hough; 

 15.4 inches (39 cm.) high.) This gas lamp dates about 1840. 



HEATING DEVICES 



The history of fire in heating may be gathered under the following 

 heads : 



Natural. — In response to a need for heat or pleasure in heat man 

 sought caves and shelters where the temperature remains fairly 

 constant, built shelters or primitive houses, clothed himself against 

 weather, and congregated at hot springs. 



Artificial. — It seems obvious that from the family fire there should 

 be lighted in the course of time smaller fires devoted to special uses. 

 As the result of observations the qualities of stones to retain heat 

 might have a practical application. It is true that there is a line of 

 uses based on this principle and persisting through a very long 

 period to the present. These hot-water vessels, hot stones, bricks, 

 brazen or iron balls served a valuable purpose at times, but were 

 not radically important in fathering essential inventions. On the 

 other hand the first portion of fire set apart and inclosed in a vessel 

 began the stove and all that implies of usefulness and tremendous 

 growth. 



The descriptions of specimens in the United States National iMu- 

 seum incorporated in this section relate to the application of heat 

 to bodily wants and mainly to cooking. Under warming the body 

 and house we have individual apiDliances, as heated stones and metal, 

 hot-water vessels, foot stove, pocket stove, and fire pot; family 

 appliances, as the house, camp, and tent fire, the lamp, brazier, stove, 

 and accompanying fireplace, chimney, fire tools and irons; and col- 

 lective appliances, as hot air, water, steam, gas, and electric stoves 

 and furnaces. 



The intention here is to classify the objects described, not as per- 

 taining to the races and tribes using them, but by their place in the 



