1750-1803

Swiss scientist who invented the first oil lamp. The Argand burner provided about 10 times the light of similar size lamps, and represented the first change to basic lamp design in thousands of years. Argand's device consisted of a cylindrical wick housed between two concentric metal tubes. The inner tube allowed air to rise into the center and support combustion, and a glass chimney increased airflow, allowing the oil to burn cleaner and more completely. Argand's concept was later adapted to gas burners, and the steady smokeless flame became the principle lighthouse illuminant for more than 100 years.