Wells light

A Wells light was a large paraffin-fuelled (kerosene) blowlamp used for engineering work, particularly for illumination, in Victorian times.

At a time before widespread electrical lighting, they were the most common form of high-powered portable illumination used for construction work, particularly railways, civil engineering, shipyards and ironworks.

The Wells light was a typical blowlamp in principle, consisting of a floor-standing fuel tank with the burner on a tall post above it.

It was distinguished by its large size, the more common plumber's blow lamp being a hand-held tool of about a pint in capacity.

[1] As the lamp was intended for use with heavy, sooty oils as well, this vaporiser was constructed of a square frame of straight tubes.

Nottingham Forest played a floodlit match against Notts Rangers on 25 March 1889 at 7:45pm illuminated by 14 Wells lights.

The Wells light was specifically contrasted with the point-source of the arc lamp and the relatively shadow-free illumination was cited as an advantage in their adverts.

[1] Because the smaller Wells lights were so portable, they could be carried into the best position to illuminate a deep shaft or inside a ship's hull.

[1] In later years, Wells used their knowledge of small pressure vessels and pumps to produce a range of paint spraying equipment.