Dobereiner's lamp, 2000

PharmazieHistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland. Dobereiner's Lamp: "zink und salzsaure wurd wasserstoff." Inside the lighter, a piece of zinc (not present here) is suspended in the center chamber above (hydrochloric) acid. When the valve at the top is opened, gas escapes, and the level of acid rises so that it makes contact with zinc, generating hydrogen gas. The emitted hydrogen gas flows out the valve and over platinum, which catalyzes its combustion with oxygen (in the air). Thus, one can light one's cigar. Such lighters were popular among the wealthy in the second half of the 19th century in Europe.