Carbide Lamps replaced oil wick lamps in coal mines in the early 1900’s. Carbide lamps burn acetylene gas produced by a chemical reaction between water and carbide. Carbide gave off considerable more light than oil wick lamps.The flame was controlled by regulating the water release. The danger was its open flame was capable of igniting methane gas in the mines. Dad and Aunt Hazel Nylander in her articles (Buxton, Iowa - the Coal Mining Town that Died) both spoke of how beautiful the lamps glowed as the miners debarked at night the miners train after a day in the mines.