And another Non motoring what is it

[Mike Hodgson]

Ok it's a safety lamp but at one time during the history of the last century it had specific purpose.What was it ??

[Keith Bennett]

If it's an oil-burner, that blue glass would show a green light so I guess it's railway related? (The old semaphore signals used oil-burners and the arms' colours were red and blue.)

[austina40sam]

Was it used during times when we had smog problems?

[Mike Hodgson]

If it's an oil-burner, that blue glass would show a green light so I guess it's railway related? (The old semaphore signals used oil-burners and the arms' colours were red and blue.)

Not railway Keith ,it is meant to show blue

Clue --Civil Defence

[Mike Hodgson]

Was it used during times when we had smog problems?

No, but it would have been used outdoors

[Keith Bennett]

Police use for - say - directing traffic at night/

[Mike Hodgson]

Police use for - say - directing traffic at night/

Not for directing traffic .
They were used as a warning light for -----???

Another clue WW2
Answer this evening

[austina40sam]

Was it used Mike to help people see where public air raid shelters were?

[Mike Hodgson]

Was it used Mike to help people see where public air raid shelters were?

No Sam
Look back at original post (safety lamp) same as used in mining

[Mike Hodgson]

some form of gas detection with a colour change warning of gas

Very very close
Answer


Wed 5th August 2009

Lee Simmons has been in touch via the contact us form and sent us a picture of a safety lamp with blue glass.

Miners Lamp with blue glass

He says that he can only confirm that his father found it some 35 yrs ago in a skip.

Does anyone know anything about the history of a lamp such as this and where it may have been used?

UPDATE
Sat 24 October 2009

Pete has been in touch he says…

All Ackrord & Best lamps were made before 1927, after that the company became known as Hailwood & Ackroyd and badges on lamps changed to this,

The lamps with blue glasses were sold for 3/6d to mark gas leaks uxb’s etc during WW2.

It was found that a dim blue glass cannot be spotted from 2000ft by German bombers.

Over 100,000 were altered and made available.

I have a copy of the advertisment.

The building is still there in Morley nr Leeds, now owned by Wabco, makers of automotive parts.

Hope this helps, Pete.