The kerosene lamp is a light that is powered and lit by kerosene (also known as paraffin). In Great Britain, these lamps are referred to as Paraffin Lamps. The kerosene lamp was first created in the 9th century in Baghdad; however, a more modern, popular version was created in the mid 1900's by Ignacy Lukasiewicz.
There are two separate types of kerosene lamps: a wick lamp and a pressure lamp. The “wick” lamp is very much like an actual candle in terms of form, only instead of melting down, the wick lamp has a cotton wick that absorbs the paraffin from a small tank that acts as the base of the lamp.
The base is sometimes ornately decorated, but was also created in clear glass, so that one could see when the fuel was running low. There is a glass globe that surrounds the wick, and rises up about 8 inches past the open flame to prevent fires.
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The “pressure” lamp worked a bit differently. It appeared more like an ordinary lamp and gave off more light. There was a small pump outside the base of the lamp to get kerosene to a hot burner which, when pumped enough, created a vapor and a flame. These types of lamps were often used outside.
These lamps could use several types of oil to burn, including citronella and kerosene substitutes.
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