Platt's Oil Hanging Lamp Patent Model

Platt, Alonzo · 1836-10-08

Alonzo Platt received patent number 42 on October 8, 1836, for his design for a chandelier that he called a Union Lamp. The goal of the invention was to provide direct light without the obstruction from a surrounding shell or body, casting perfect light in all directions with no circle, shadow, or shade. Platt sought these direct rays of light from the union of three or more distinct lamps with their own reservoirs. Platt also suggested the form of the fish for the lamp that would serve as oil reservoirs. The wick tubes protruding from the mouth of the fish was the novel invention of the patent, made to open and close with a hinge mechanism to replace the wicks with ease.