safety lamp

American  

noun

1. a miner's lamp in which the flame is protected by wire gauze to prevent the immediate ignition of explosive gases.

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safety lamp British  

noun

1. Also called: Davy lamp.  an oil-burning miner's lamp in which the flame is surrounded by a metal gauze to prevent it from igniting combustible gas

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Etymology

Origin of safety lamp

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

The same gallery will host works by Ryan Gander, who will create sculptures inspired by northern inventions, from Joseph Swan's incandescent light bulb to George Stephenson's Geordie safety lamp.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2018

Again it was a result of an opened safety lamp igniting the gas.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2017

For it was in Newcastle in 1815 that the miners' safety lamp was first demonstrated, an entirely practical device made not for stylish appearance, but to stop miners from getting blown up.

From The Guardian • Jun. 15, 2012

It is claimed that George Stephenson was the inventor of the safety lamp for use in mines, an invention usually accredited to Sir Humphry Davy.

From Great Inventions and Discoveries by Piercy, Willis Duff

I do not call to mind even an invention of practical utility which we owe to any of them, except the safety lamp of Davy.

From The Advance of Science in the Last Half-Century by Huxley, Thomas Henry