The Miller Student Lamp
A purpose built lamp for reading, these lamps are designed in such a way that a book can be placed immediately under the lamp, with the shade protecting the eyes and forcing the light downwards. It has a removable font on the opposite side of the stem to balance the lamp. The student lamp is unique in design but is also an example of form following function. A very stable lamp, with a heavy cast base covered by a brass, the lamp can be swiveled around horizontally to the exact position required by the reader, at the same time, raised or lowered as needed.
Student lamps came in the three sizes, the smaller No. 0, the No. 1 and the larger No. 2. Like all Miller lamps, they were produced from the various patents, both brass and nickel and with varying degrees of decoration
The way the kerosene is fed to the burner of this lamp is also unique. The removable tank has on its underside a valve, allowing it to be placed right way up inside the font without leaking. When in the font, a leaver at the base opens the valve. Kerosene flows by gravity through the connecting tube to the burner well. The valve limits the pressure of the kerosene and prevents it from overwhelming the wick.
The Miller No. 0 Student Lamp c.1892
Fitted with a Miller No. 0 central draught burner it is very economical to use. Its light output is ideal for close usage. Miller had some difficulty in incorporating his wick raising devise into these more unusual lamps.
The Miller ‘New Vestal’ Student Lamp c.1905
Fitted with a Miller No. 0 ‘Vestal’ central draught burner it is very economical to use. Its light output is ideal for close usage. As can be seen, the 'Vestal' patent was much more convienent for use with the Student Lamp.