Featured in this lot is this Badger Brass Mfg Co. Solar carbide bicycle lamp circa 1899. These lamps were patented in the USA for the first time on February 4 1896. Other places in the world followed. Riding a bicycle at night at that time could be dangerous and the Badger Brass company started advertising an intricate lamp called Solar.
These carbide lamps were also called acetylene gas lamps. Acetylene was created by the reaction of calcium carbide and water. These lamps went out of fashion in the late 1930's when battery operated bicycle lights became practical. The lamp is marked "Solar" on the top and "The Badger Brass MFG Co. - Kenosha, Wis, U.S.A." and includes patent dates on the bottom fo the lamp from 1896 - 1899. The condition of this carbide lamp is good with no obvious signs of damage and shows good overall condition. The measurements of this carbide lamp is 9 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 5 1/4"