OIL LAMPS Oil had been burnt in lamps at least since the Palaeolithic age, and the cheapest light fittings used in Victorian homes had changed little since then, with a simple wick protruding from a small container of whale oil or vegetable oil. However, much brighter and more sophisticated lamps had emerged late in the 18th century, the most important being the Argand oil lamp. This lamp had a broad flat wick held between two metal cylinders to form a circular wick, with air drawn through it and around it. This in itself was a revolutionary idea, but its inventor, Aimé Argand also discovered that by placing a tube or 'chimney' over the flame, the hot gases from the flame rose rapidly creating a draught and drawing air in from below. Fanned by a draught from both inside and outside the circular wick, the poor spluttering flame of early lamps was transformed into a bright, efficient light source (see illustration). The one disadvantage for the Argand oil lamp and its many imitators in the early Victorian period was that the best oil then available, colza, was so thick and viscous that it had to be fed to the wick either by gravity from a reservoir above, or pumped up from below. Most colza oil lamps have a reservoir often shaped like a classical urn to one side which in some fittings obstructed the light. The Sinumbra lamp got around the problem by having a circular reservoir around the base of the glass light shade. One of the most significant improvements of the Victorian period was the introduction of paraffin. Patented in 1850, the price of the new fuel fell dramatically following the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania, USA. As paraffin was much lighter than colza the reservoir could be placed below the flame, enabling many new designs of light fittings. One of the most successful paraffin lamps was the Duplex burner introduced in 1865 which had two wicks side by side and, like the Argand lamp, a clear glass chimney with air drawn from below. Most lamps also had a larger shade around the chimney often of opaque glass to diffuse the light. The shades or diffusers provided an opportunity for decoration, and a variety of shapes, colours and patterns were used. The amount of light which can be produced by a wick is limited by the surface area of the wick and the amount of fuel and air able to reach it. As fuel burns at the tip of the wick only. The gas mantle, on the other hand, provides a much larger three-dimensional surface, and is far more effective as a result. Invented by Carl Aur von Wesbach in 1885, the incandescent mantle was the last major breakthrough in oil and gas lighting of the period, before both succumbed to electric lighting. The mantle consists of a skirt of silk or cotton impregnated with a non-inflammable mixture (thorium and cerium), suspended over a fierce flame. When first ignited, the cotton burns away leaving fine, brittle filaments of non-combustible material in its place which glow white hot or 'incandescent'. The mantle works best with either gas or a fine mist of paraffin produced by a pressurised reservoir which is still widely used in camping lamps today, producing a bright, warm light to rival an electric bulb. https://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/lighting/lighting.htm http://www.artandarchitecture.org.uk/stories/lighting/lighting4.html#:~:text=Oil%20had%20been%20burnt%20in,whale%20oil%20or%20vegetable%20oil.An item of great importance in any home before gas or electricity was available.Kerosene lamp, ceramic, with metal top and wick. Has handle at side and floral hand painting around the body. Glass cover. Metalwork is rusty.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, oil lamp, heating, lighting, ceramics

Date made July 2000Colour photograph close up view of a rusty steam winch sitting in a paddock with weeds around it, from the dredge Paynseville. Lakes Entrance Victoriajetties, dredging

This stencil was used on bags and possibly other packaging containing grain processed and packed at Anderson's Mill. The stencil would have indicated the destination of, or origin of the grain.Metal stencil (steel), rusty rectangular shape, corners cut off. Lettering surrounded with blue paint. Square hole top RH corner."BMTC / PENANG"

Rusty railroad spike with a head 4.2 x 4.0. Head is offset and spike is 1.5 x.1.5 with a pointed end. Washer is fastened under the head.railroad spike

A bluish grey coloured cover with black writing. there are three punch holes down the left hand side as well as two staples which are very rusty australia - armed forces - service manuals, signals

These plaques commemorate the winner of the Warrnambool Brierly Steeplechase in 1965 and 1966. The owner of the horse was Mr D. Wedge, the horse was Regalo from New Zealand and the jockey was N. Rantall. The plaques were originally display items based in areas of the Warrnambool Racecourse. The Brierly Steeplechase was first run in 1902, with the name coming from a local property and homestead established by William McKiernin in the 1850s. Today the Brierly Steeplechase is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival which features the famous Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase. These items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history..1 This is a rectangular-shaped metal plaque with ten holes on the sides for attachment to a surface using screws. The plaque has been painted yellow with a sketch of jockey silks and cap in blue and pink. Much of the paint is missing and the plaque is rusty and slightly warped. .2 This is a small rectangular-shaped metal plaque with black printing. There are four holes for affixing the plaque to a wall or bench. The plaque is rusty in places. .1 'Regalo (N.Z.)' .2 'Mr D. E. Wedge Regalo (N.Z.) Winner Brierly Steeple 1965,1966' warrnambool racing club, warrnambool may racing carnival

Powdered milk was sod in cans before plastic packaging was introduced. The Nestle Company manufactured the Sunshine powdered milk in Australia and was made from full cream pasteurised milk which had the water content removed from it this would then allow the tins of powdered milk to be transported without refrigeration. The powdered milk could then be made up by adding water at the recommended quantities as per directions on the labels.A white, and green paper covered rusty tin. The front of the label is printed in black advertising Sunshine full cream milk powder. The back has recipes printed on it.Nestle/SUNSHINE/milk/FULL CREAM MILK POWDER/NET 3LB - AUSTRALIAsocial history, cooking, domestic food and drink, milk products, powdered milk

This tub probably dates from the early to mid 20th century and would have been a common item in households in those times. It could have been used for laundry items or for other washing processes in the kitchen. Wash houses in the early to mid 20th century were usually separate buildings or sheds outside of the house.This item is retained for display and discussion purposesThis is an oval- shaped metal tub wider at the top than at the base. It has a ridged top, a strengthening metal band around the base and two metal handles. It is somewhat rusty.vintage household items, warrnambool & district historical society collection

These hand-made nails were used in what was Temple's Store built in 1889. It later became Herbert's - now demolished and is the present site of the Foodworks Supermarket.Temple's store was on the corner of Ruskin Street and Nicholson Street. George Temple (1832-1918) established the store in about 1888. He packed stores to the Bendoc area gold fields.Two lots of hand-made nails. .1 is a set of five small nails tied together with string. .2 is a set of three longer nails which are very rusty.nails metal-working temples-store

A funnel such as this is used to assist in pouring liquids into a narrow container such as a bottle or jar. An item like this could be commonly used in households for food preparation, cooking and soap making. It could also be used for pouring fuel, and medicinal purposes. Enamelware dates back to 1760 in Germany.This object is significant as an example of a type of item in common use in the 19th Century and that is still in use today.Funnel, white enamel with dark rusty metal rim. It has a triangular shaped hook on the top lip for hanging. The metal has been joined down one side.None.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, funnel, food preparation, beverage, laundry, fuel, food preservation, medicinal preparation, decanting, pouring

Tin funnel joined with solder and has been repaired. Rounded edge with hollow inside. Used for filling kerosene lamps for lighting the Athenaeum. Bottom of spout damaged and rusty.Found in Librarian's desk. Possibly purchased with new kerosene lights after the 1900. fire in the roof

Green coloured training module. Paint peeling off & rusty frame. Seat at the top with a long barrel coming out from the top & numerous brass knots & gauges.centurion tank, training module

From the R.S.L. Mitcham CollectionBrown leather roll 27cm x 10cm complete with seven metal buttons stamped with the word Excelor. Plus two safety pins and four rusty sewing needles.military history, army

Cream was stored in steel cans for transportation to stores or local dairy companies.The dairy industry is and has been one of the major industries in the Kiewa Valley. This cream can was used on a dairy farm in the Kiewa Valley.Steel rusty cream can with handle attached to top of sides. No lid. Vertical sides two thirds of the way up from the base then sides gradually taper to the neck and opening.Nildairy; cream can; kiewa valley

A cream coloured cardboard cover with black information. The top right hand side reads 7610-66-033-8014. There are two rusty metal staples down the left hand side.australia - armed forces - service manuals, geneva conventions, war victims

A green/cream coloured plastic cover with black informatio. Top right corner reads 7610-66-024-7173. Down he left hand side there are tow rusty metal staples.australia - armed forces - service manuals, intelligence

Found by Keith Walton, Portland. From the 1840 wreck of the sailing boat "Constant" in Portland Bay near long pier. The sheave came to Flagstaff Hill from Carl F Kurtze, The Museum, South Portland. Block wood sheave, from the wreck of the sailing boat CONSTANT, 1840 . One side weathered, other side covered with rusty deposits, with iron bearing corroded away. Sheave has tag attached.Tag on sheave from "Carl F Kurtze, The Museum, South Portland. Found by Keith Walton, Portland. "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, block wood sheave, constant, portland bay

A coloured photograph in a black frame of children playing around a rusty shipwreck/ Bottom left of the photograph reads Voyages to Vietnam Collection. Bottom right hand side of photograph reads Copyright Tony Eyphotograph, voyages to vietnam collection, cerberus collection

A brown colour cover with black details. Top right corner reads 7610-66-018-6712. In the middle is the insignia of the Australian Military Forces. There are two rusty staples down the left hand side.australia - armed forces - service manuals, drill manual, australian military forces

A cream coloured small booklet with black fvinformation. Top right hand side reads 7610-66-027-7800. The booklet is held together by two rusty staples. there are two different insignia on the cover. vc/nva mine indicators, combined intelligence center vietnam, us military