The moderator lamp is a type of 19th century oil lamp. It displaced the more complex Carcel lamp which used a clockwork pump. Its mechanism was simpler and required less maintenance or repair. The moderator lamp was invented in 1837 by Charles-Louis-Félix Franchot (1809-1881).[1] [2] Like the Carcel lamp the oil reservoir was below the burner and it allowed 360 degree illumination. Earlier oil lamps such as the Argand had a reservoir above the burner which made them top heavy and obscured some of the light. The reliability of the mechanism led to them being adopted in lighthouses.
- ^ The Mechanics' Magazine, Publisher R. A. Brooman, 1855, Volume LXII, "The Moderator Lamp" pages 73-76
- ^ "Franchot's moderator lamp". Science Photo Library. Retrieved 2018-10-02.