H. W. Staples' Automatic Lamp-Filler

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

In our description of this invention, published on page 344, current volume (issue of Nov. 27, 1869), an'important point claimed by t.he inventor was omitted. Ifthe reader will again refer to the engraving he will see that the vent tube, whkh also acts as a brace bemeen the nozzle and breast of the can, terminates at the letter A, which represents an. opening in the side of the nezzle, through which air enters while the oil is flowing out of the nozzle. As soon, however, as the oil rises in the lamp as high as the vent hole, A, it covers this hole, and the flow of oil from iihe filler is checked. The fluid as it flows over the end of the vent tube, produces an audible whistling sound, which ceases when the vent hole is stopped by the rising of the fluid in the lamp, as the flow then ceases. Thus a metal lamp or one made of any opaq ua material, as well as one of transparent glass, can be filled without danger of its running over, the fiUer stopping automatically when the lamp is filled to the proper hight. The advantage of controlling the flow is gained by the simplest means, and all danger of overflow prevented.

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American