Bude light

A large Bude light in Trafalgar Square. Invented by Sir Goldsworthy Gurney and patented in 1839, the light worked by introducing oxygen gas into the middle of a standard oil lamp flame. The unburned carbon in the oil flame burned incredibly brightly and an intense, white light was produced from the weak, yellow flame of the oil lamp. A single Bude light was used to light Gurney's castle (in Bude, Cornwall) using a set of prisms and reflectors

1839 Brightly Bude Burned Carbon Goldsworthy Gurney Incredibly Intense Introducing Invented Lamps Oxygen Patented Prisms Reflectors Trafalgar Weak

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