Timeline of lighting technology
Artificial lighting technology began to be developed tens of thousands of years ago and continues to be refined in the present day.
Lighting through the ages (legend)
An oil lamp is a lamp used to produce light continuously for a period of time using an oil-based fuel source. The use of oil lamps began thousands of years ago and continues to this day, although their use is less common in modern times. They work in the same way as a candle but with fuel that is liquid at room temperature, so that a container for the oil is required. A textile wick drops down into the oil, and is lit at the end, burning the oil as it is drawn up the wick.
Group of ancient lamps (Hellenistic and Roman)
Simple contemporary Indian clay oil lamp during Diwali
Antique bronze oil lamp with the "Chi Rho", a Christian symbol (replica)
Sukunda oil lamp of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal