Lighthouse Illumination

Most of the available lighthouse books contain some descriptions of the early lamps and other illumination equipment used in American lighthouses. Unfortunately, these descriptions are just that, a verbal description of objects that are very hard for the average reader to visualize. The goal of this article is to put some flesh on the bones and to give you, the reader, not only descriptions, but also photographs where possible and drawings when necessary of these early American forms of lighthouse illumination.