Beginning with the rushlight holders used by the earliest settlers and ranging up to the elaborate chandeliers of the Federal period; this book is a unique coverage of the fascinating story of lamps and other lighting devices in America.The selection of lighting devices from the American Colonies begins with the "Betty" lamps which were similar in function and design to the oil; wax; and fat-burning lamps of antiquity. Rounding out the material on early attempts at illumination are variations on the open wick lamp designs executed in iron; tin; pewter; and brass; together with double iron "Betty" lamps; iron trammel candle holders; wrought iron candle stands; candle molds; reflectors; and other styles. Succeeding chapters range over candelabra lamps; ship lamps; whale oil lamps; wall sconces; bulls eye reading lamps; pierced tin lanterns; candle lanterns; bulls eye reading lanterns; hall lanterns; Sandwich glass candlesticks; lamps of unusual design; glass table and spark lamps; single and double burner mantle lamps; astral lamps; Luster lamps; Bennington ware; and chandeliers made of wood; iron; pewter; brass; bronze; silver; and crystal. Although the main emphasis is on the Colonial era; work up to the 1880s is considered. Each chapter contains information on Colonial life; customs; and habits; photographs of rare lamps and their locations; hints on collecting; and much other information not available elsewhere.This volume; containing what is probably the largest selection of antique lamps ever illustrated together before; fills a long-felt need on the part of antique collectors; designers; historians; and Americana enthusiasts for a thorough-going survey of lighting in Colonial America.
2014-05-10 2014-05-10File Name: B00KHLP5UC
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. CULTURE SHOCK!!By COSMIC TRAVELERAre you a cultural anthropologist and technology aficionado? If you are; then this book is for you. Author Barry Lord; has written an outstanding book that discusses humanitys discovery of the fundamental sources of energy and the values and meanings that emerge from them.The author begins by exploring physical and material culture; which are the two basic kinds of culture; both of which depend on an energy strategy sustained by a primary source of energy. Next; he covers how our material culture was initially dependent on each individuals kinetic energy. Then; the author discusses the mastering of fire; which means controlling combustion: A process of energy conversion; by turning the energy stored by photosynthesis; in what is technically called phytomass into heat and light by means of a flame. In addition; he examines the development of cooperation among men; as a means to becoming more successful hunters; was a way to avoid open sexual competition for women; since hunting together required a certain degree of male bonding. Also; the author discusses archeologist Ian Hoddlers claim: that before men and women could successfully domesticate animals; they had to domesticate themselves. He continues; by exploring how most of the worlds ancient and many later civilizations depended on a renewable energy source that everyone understood to be indispensable: The energy of slaves. Next; the author covers the culture of urbanism; where trade is at the heart of the city; and marketplaces are central to all urban plans. Then; he discusses wind: Like all energy sources; wind power is ultimately due to the sun--in this case; differential heating of the earths surface that causes global air movement in patterns that meteorologists call prevailing winds. In addition; the author looks at everybody; in all levels of society; in all ages; has had to be aware of where their energy comes from; and what must be done to get it and keep it coming. He also discusses how from the days of the Roman Britain and throughout the Middle Ages; coal had been used for domestic heating in the homes of poorer people who had little access to firewood. Next; the author examines how the coal culture stimulated research in the natural sciences; which in turn; caused electrification to inspire a greater interest in the physical sciences. He continues; by looking at the difference between oil and coal. Then; the author considers an emerging energy source that offers some measure of hope for our future: Renewable energy and its culture of stewardship. In addition; he examines how solar and wind energy makes it possible to have a new kind of energy industry; one that is not based on fuel of any kind; but utilizes technology created by human ingenuity for the production; distribution and storage of energy. Finally; the author discusses how culture changes when a new generation takes up the cultural values that an emerging source of energy makes possible.This excellent book helped the author answer the following two questions: What difference does understanding cultural change and its sources in energy transition make; economically? Second: Does this theory have any predictive value?2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. How Art Reflects the Evolution of EnergyBy Robert LeblingThis unusual book explores the evolution of human energy sources over the centuries and how the societal and cultural changes that accompanied these shifts were expressed in art.The transition from one dominant form of energy to another is an opportunity for great cultural change and creativity; according to the author; a noted museum planner. He traces the course of energy use from the introduction of fire about a million and a half years ago to the 21st century development of renewable; sustainable energy sources.In between these two historical poles; he explores the introduction of agriculture and the use of farm animals; the development of forced human labor or slavery; the introduction of coal energy and steam power; the 20th century shift to an economy based on oil and gas; and the push toward nuclear power begun during the ldquo;age of anxiety;rdquo; those decades we know as the Cold War.With well-chosen illustrations; the author sets forth the varied cultural conditions that produced some of the worldrsquo;s great art; from hunter-gatherer times until today.Barry Lord notes how hydrocarbon energy production has driven the development of art centers in the Arabian Gulf region; notably the cultural district on the Emiratesrsquo; Saadiyat Island featuring the Louvre and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; and Saudi Arabiarsquo;s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture; now under construction in Dhahran; in which the authorrsquo;s firm has played a major planning role.(A version of this review appeared in Aramco World Magazine; Mar/Apr 2015.)
