Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London v.106 (1816)

181. Mine Safety Lamp

A major problem for coal mining around 1800 was the dangerous situation caused by using flame lamps in places were there could easily be explosive methane gas. A disastrous explosion in 1813 caused Davy to create a safety lamp that would lower the ignition point of methane. This article is the first account of Day's important invention. The Herald of Science also includes the brief article on p. 23-24, "An account of an invention for giving light in explosive mixtures of fire-damp in coal mines, by consuming the fire-damp." The articles are included in the full volume of thePhilosophical transactions.