Kerosene Road Markers(?)
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Kerosene Road Markers(?)
by Tim Porter (tjporter@owc.net)
Posted: Oct. 30, 1998 @ 14:19.
I hope you can help me with locating information on
oil/kerosene/gasoline (?) lamps used as road markers many years ago.
I know we had them on the farm in the 50's. As I remember them, they
were the size and shape of a bowling ball with a very large wick
sticking out the top. They would be lit & set alongside the road to
mark for hazards. Can you tell me ANYTHING more about this product?
Thanks, Tim Porter tjporter@owc.net
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On Oct. 31, 1998 @ 09:18, Fil Graff, Guild Secretary (fgraff@comcast.net) wrote:
Tim: I've always called these beasts (calling them "lamps" is perhaps
a bit over-complimentary...but they aren't quite lanterns either)
"smudge pots". They were used as flares, and sometimes heaters. The
concept survives as the smoke pots orchardists use to help prevent
frost damage. They burned used motor oil or the like...a heavier and
cheaper oil than kerosene. Like the old "parade lantern" which was
likely their direct progenitor, they burn in high winds, and make
almost as much smoke as light, particularly when the wick is damp.
The battery-powered "flasher" has done them in for road markers, at
least. I don't have much US material on them, but do have an
Australian catalogue from the mid-30's that shows a somewhat refined
version (a big-spouted oil can with a fat "rope" wick) of the US
"bowling ball". For me, that's a good analogy...I remember as a kid
[completely disregarding safety, good sense or the reason they'd been
placed where they were, or even where they'd end up still burning!]
rolling them down hills when lit at night, joyfully watching the
erratic path and all the sparks! 1940's version of a light show? I'd
guess they were made by companies like Dietz and Adlake, but the
technology was certainly not rocket science. Perhaps some of the
lantern collectors who may read this will have US catalogue
information? :: Fil ::
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On Nov. 01, 1998 @ 11:24, John Claypole in England (lightinter@aol.com) wrote:
I remember those oil pots, I used to watch 'em - they used old sump
oil from both aircraft and road vehicle engines and were used to
clear fog from runways on airfields in England during the war - to
enable both British and American pilots to land from air-raids after
fog had "socked the airfield in". The black smoke cleared off the
fog, the light provided a marker so that these guys could land after
many hours in the air - sometimes even with crippled aircraft and
injured crews. They also used swan-neck spout lamps for that purpose.
Sump oil still has its uses today. from:- English archbishop.
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On Nov. 01, 1998 @ 17:45, stan (isuma@globalserve.net) wrote:
Tim: Just to add a bit to the info from John & Fil - there is an
example in Anthony Hobson's book 'Lanterns that lit our world' on
page 80 of the paperback version. This example is made by Dietz
(marked Dietz #87) - called a highway marker- 8" in diameter - holds
3 qts - burns 30 hours - uses a Dietz #87 burner screw type - burns
kerosene - uses 3/4" wick(round)- finished in blue enamel - has a
weighted bottom. I too remember the fuel as being more like motor oil
than kero. I think Hobson's book is still in print - try a local
antique mall that has a book stall if you would like a copy. Regards,
Stan
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On Nov. 03, 1998 @ 19:51, Charles (ceo5@texas.net) wrote:
Tim: You have to be describing the old smudge pots. They marked
detours, hazards, and construction on Texas highways for years. the
taxpayers must have been real generous then, because all the fishing
and hunting campsites seemed to have plenty of them during the
mosquito parts of the year.I think I saw a pair of them in a Mall in
Houston converted to wall lamps with punched tin shades, they were
pretty
ugly
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On Nov. 09, 1998 @ 21:41, Tim Porter (tjporter@owc.net) wrote:
I found one! In an antique mall near Chicago I found a lamp in very
good condition. It was a "Toledo Pressed Steel Torch". Ouch! They
wanted $85.00. Seemed kind of high but.... Anyway. Thanks to all who
responded.
Tim