My last client handed me this lamp along with these words, “I found this in the dilapidated shed in the back when we bought this property (early 1990’s). Figured someone may know what to do with it. I think you need to have it.”
I explored all I could find on the lamp’s history. My discoveries after the pause.
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Morning Open Thread is a daily, copyrighted from a host of editors and guest writers. We support our community, invite and share ideas and encourage thoughtful, respectful dialogue in an open forum.
This is a post where you can come to share what’s on your mind and stay for the conversation (and often music offered). The diarist is on independent time (a schedule of their own) and gets to take a nap when he or she needs (or may wander off and show up later).
Just to let you know, it’s a feature, not a bug.
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The top of the lamp
The metal top is stamped (as seen in the photo above). The words read: The Adams & Westlake Co. “ADLAKE” Reliable New York Chicago Phila
I. C. R. R. = Illinois Central Rail Road Bottom left began the dates of Patents applied.
Along the rim of the top are the stamped dates. I’ll show the photos, then list the dates afterward.
The list of Patent dates read: A = 5-5-1908 (month, day, year), B = 1-20-1909, C = 7-27-1909,
D = 9-21-1909, E = 11-20-911 (1911), F = 7-2-1912, G = 4-1-1913.
The first electric signal lights for railroads were installed August, 1914 in Cleveland Ohio. Soon after, the industry saw the cost effective and safety benefits (reduction to human error) of requiring electric signals across the nation. That change in safety standards made the lamp above a relic of the past.
There is one more item that is embossed. The clear glass globe has raised letters that read: FRISCO (on one side, and the other side) SAFETY FIRST.
We all are aware that sandbears is our train aficionado. I figure he might like this hanging in his museum. I will tell more of it’s history (speculation not fiction) in a future diary.
Until then, let’s have an orderly day, be mindful that the rule is, one passenger per seat.
