Dunbar's Mantle Lights
also called
Torches or Gasoline Lights
by Bruce Wm. Anderson

MANTLE LIGHTS by Dunbar & Co were offered to provide lighting when electricity was not available for the electric lights. Initially, through the 1905 to 1911 catalogs, Dunbar called these Torches. In the 1913 and 1915 Dunbar catalogs Mantle Lights were referred to as Gasoline Lights. Starting in 1920 Dunbar used the term Mantle Lights. Mantle Lights could be used with both the gravity feed and pressure white gas systems. The Mantle Lights were lit by opening the gas valve at the bottom of the light and allowing liquid white gas (Naphtha) to dribble out and fill the drip cup. This gas was then lit by a match or the lighter and as it burned it heated the Mantle Light main body which also serves as a gas vapor generator. This then converted some of the liquid gas into a gas vapor within the body of the Mantle Light. Upon opening the valve a second time and applying a light just prior to the drip cup flame burning out the gas vapor would be released and lit creating the Mantle Light flame (Picture 1). The small machines usually had two Mantle Lights: 1) over the steam engine and peanut roaster and 2) in front of the popper over the steam table. Larger machines had three Mantle Lights and maybe more? In the pressure systems the liquid white gas tank was partitioned providing for approximately 1/3 of its capacity for the Mantle Lights and two thirds for the main gas vapor generator. This required a second tank filler and main gas shut off for the Mantle Light white gas. A second pressure gauge (U.S. Gauge Dunbar & Co - 0 to 16 pounds?) and valve was required to pump up and monitor the air pressure in the Mantle Light partition of the white gas tank (Picture 2). The Mantle Lights may be mounted with a swivel connector to allow for some repositioning of the light or mounted in a fixed position.
Picture 2 - Mantle Light Tank on Right
Picture 3
Picture 4
Our information is that these mantle lights provided poor lighting and we have noted their removal from every wagon that had them. We are aware of only one example of a Dunbar Mantle Light (and a swivel connector). Docs’ Popcorn Company (Bruce and Darlene Anderson) have this Mantle Light (Picture 3). The Mantle Lights can be identified by comparing their shapes to the picture in the 1926 Dunbar Catalog page 11 (Picture 4) and also by noting the same gas valve knob design that was used on the main gas vapor generator knobs. The gas vapor generator and the Mantle Lights were produced in-house by Dunbar & Co. Prior to 1905 Dunbar used at least one other design of Mantle Lights. Please contact us if you are aware of other Mantle Lights or intact Mantle Light systems on a Dunbar & Co Popcorn Wagon. Particularly, if they have never been restored so that we can further research these lighting systems.
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