MARCH 17 ISSUE ANSWERS (photo to right): The earliest coalminer’s lamp was the Sunshine Lamp which derived its name from the illuminating substance used in it. Sunshine was the trade name of a soft grade of paraffin having a low melting point. This torch-type lamp that measured about three inches high resembled a miniature teapot and was attached to the miner’s cap. Sunshine was placed in the bottom of the lamp and the substance seeped through a stranded cotton wick which protruded from the narrow spout of the lamp. Once the end of the wick was lighted, it afforded the miner the light with which he was able to work. Sunshine was later replaced with oil. R.M.D.