Evan Thomas Lamp Cynon Valley
Mining is deeply woven into the history and communities of South Wales, and the beautiful Cynon Valley is no exception. From the local rugby teams, community centres, place names and even the shape of the landscape, coal mining and the western industrial revolution have entirely shaped the local area around the Cynon Valley, and here at E Thomas and Williams Ltd we are deeply proud to have been, and to still be, a part of that vibrant and fascinating history. We made our name over one hundred and fifty years ago by producing the Evan Thomas Lamp, a safety lamp for miners to use, that became an essential light source for miners across the country. We still produce the Evan Thomas Lamp Cynon Valley residents will know today, and we might well be the longest running safety lamp manufacturer in the world!
Read on to find out more about the Evan Thomas Lamp Cynon Valley residents love, and why it is such an iconic symbol of the people and the industry that has shaped the local area.
The Importance of the Evan Thomas Lamp
Cynon Valley residents likely know that the sudden and unstoppable growth of coal and steam powered industry in Great Britain in the 18th and 19th Centuries reshaped the country and rewrote the way people lived and worked in a way that would not and could not ever be reversed. The development of canals, railways, mass production and factories demanded coal in greater amounts than at any time before or since, and collieries sprang up across the South Wales Coalfield all around the Cynon Valley area to try to feed the demand for fuel. As mines were driven deeper and deeper into the local valleys, mining became more and more dangerous. Alongside cave ins, collapses, poisoning from gases and suffocation, one of the biggest dangers for miners was fire, and as mines got deeper the risk of igniting flammable gases that gathered in the tunnels increased significantly. To keep miners safe, a number of engineers across the country began working on ways to take gas lamps into the mines that would not ignite these gases.
It was discovered that by shielding the lamp flame with a chimney made of fine gauze, the gases would burn but not ignite, and soon the Davy Lamp, Stephenson Lamp and Clanny Lamp were developed in various parts of the country. While these early designs were effective, they were often too flimsy to survive long in the rough working conditions inside a mine and were too easily damaged. Evan Thomas, an ironmonger and inventor in nearby Aberdare, developed the idea by making a tougher body of brass with glass held firmly in place by Indian rubber. The Evan Thomas Lamp was a great success and was quickly put to use across the country.
The Modern Evan Thomas Lamp Cynon Valley
If you want an Evan Thomas Lamp, Cynon Valley or elsewhere, get in touch with us here at E Thomas and Williams Ltd and get an Evan Thomas Lamp of your very own!
