Carbide Lamp Hat

Carbide Lamps were lamps used by miners starting at the beginning of the twentieth century. They utilise the chemical reaction of calcium carbide (CaC2) with water (H2O) to produce acetylene gas, which, when burnt, creates a clean, white flame. The upper chamber of the lamp drips water into the lower chamber, which holds the solid calcium carbide. The acetylene gas then funnels to the burner, which is ignited by a match or built-in lighter. The front of the Carbide Lamp holds a reflector to direct the flame’s light in a broad projection, which helped the miners with their peripheral vision when in the complete darkness of the mines.
This soft hat, used by miners in the 1900's, has an attachment over the brim which allows for a carbide lamp to be worn on the head, giving the miners light while leaving their hands free.