Oil Lamp

light · history · fire · simple machines

Ancient invention. Oil lamps have been used for thousands of years, helping people light their homes long before electricity was invented. Archaeologists have found oil lamps made by ancient civilizations across the world.

How the wick works. A fabric wick hangs down into a container of oil, soaking it up like a sponge. When you light the top of the wick, the flame heats the oil and turns it into a vapor that burns, keeping the wick lit as long as there's oil.

Liquid fuel advantage. Unlike candles that are solid wax, oil lamps use liquid fuel at room temperature, so they hold more fuel in a smaller space and can burn for much longer periods.

Still used today. Although electric lights are common now, oil lamps are still used in many parts of the world, especially during power outages or in places without reliable electricity.

Simple and reliable. Oil lamps have no moving parts or complicated mechanics, which is why the same basic design has worked well for thousands of years without needing major improvements.