National Museum of American History
C. F. Spencer Kerosene Lamp Patent Model
Spencer, Charles F. · 1878-08-20
Patented on August 20, 1878, this lamp is the invention of lamp maker Charles F. Spencer. Until 1880 the U.S. Patent Office required both documentation and a three-dimensional working model to demonstrate every invention submitted for a patent. Although it now shows signs of rust and wear, this lamp once served as Spencer’s patent model for an innovative approach to lighting.
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