Evan Thomas Lamp Bridgend
Evan Thomas was an Ironmonger who lived in Wales. He invented the famous Evan Thomas Lamp which was a safety lamp used for miners. Bridgend followers of this history will be aware of this but how did Evan Thomas’ progress to the inventor and manufacturer. For us to find out, we need to go back to 1860.
In Aberdare in Wales, Evan Thomas set up his own company, the Cambrian lamp Works. By 1867, after seven sloid years of work, he patented a superior design of safety lamp. Evan Thomas’ design used Indian rubber to stop the glass in the lamp from becoming loose. It was an ingenious design and was the beginning of a road which led him to save many miners lives. One year later, in 1868, Evan Thomas secured a patent for "an improvement in the construction of miners' safety lamps, in such a manner as to enable petroleum or other mineral oils to be consumed therein".
After this came the famous Evan Thomas Lamp No. 7. In 1886, the Royal Commission on Accidents in Mines put the lamp through tests in order to see if it was fit for use down the mines. It successfully passed all the tests put on it and was so impressive, the Royal Commission on Accidents in Mines chose it as a lamp worthy of their recommendation.
To complete the history, we will just briefly return to 1879. Evan Thomas still ran his ironmongery in Ferndale. It was in this year that he reportedly became partners with It was then that Evan Thomas was supposed to have gone into partnership with John Davies. While the mining lamp business was separate, it helps us to see that this man had a business mind which contributed to his success. Many inventors we find found this aspect of their lives difficult, but it appears Evan Thomas was skilful with both.
At some stage, Evan Thomas went into partnership with a Mr Williams, to create the company known as Evan Thomas & Williams. Even after 1978, Evan Thomas & Williams continued to trade. This made them the oldest surviving firm of safety lamp manufacturers in the world.
What a history of a man who wanted to help those vulnerable mine workers. With his invention, he was able to prevent many accidents and save lives.
This isn’t the end of the story though. E. Thomas & Williams still make and supply the Evan Thomas Lamp. Bridgend is home to this surviving company who make this special invention. The Evan Thomas Lamp is used for personal and professional use. For example, the Ministry of Defense purchase the Evan Thomas Lamp to provide evidence of a breathable atmosphere in the reactor compartments of nuclear submarines.
If you are interested in purchasing an Evan Thomas Lamp, please visit E. Thomas & Williams’ website. You can enjoy learning about a full history of the invention of this special safety lamp plus acquiring your own Evan Thomas Lamp. Bridgend residents can take advantage of this local company.
