Introducing the Safety Lamp Type 20502, a remarkable creation by the esteemed manufacturer “FWD.” Amidst the post-World War II era, the significance of safety lamps for miners had considerably waned. This lamp stands as one of the final embodiments of classic miner’s lamps, originating in the 1950s.
“FWD,” an acronym for “Friemann & Wolf Duisburg,” signifies the company’s true name. Based in Duisburg, Germany, “Friemann & Wolf” was originally headquartered in Zwickau. Post-war, its operations were confined within the territory of the “German Democratic Republic,” the segment of Germany under Russian occupation. In 1946, the company underwent expropriation and a renaming, becoming “GLZ.”
In the locale of Duisburg, West Germany, the Type 20502 found companionship with the FWD 400 model, often fashioned from solid brass. The latter gained popularity as a gift for special occasions.
The showcased Type 20502 was meticulously designed for white spirit operation, ignited through an electric glow wire. Powering the ignition was a battery, an original component that has since faded into obsolescence. Yet, ingeniously crafted modifications now render the firing mechanism fully functional. This is visually demonstrated in the accompanying photos.
An enlightening video accompanies this post, showing the elegance and simplicity underlying the mechanics of the ignition system.
Delving deeper into the “FWD 20502,” the ignition process beckons more attention.
Orchestrated by a glow wire and fueled by a battery—a component that has slipped beyond reach in its original form over time. However, through thoughtful modifications, the core of the firing mechanism can be upheld in functional harmony (see photos for reference).
It’s important to acknowledge the evolution of the ignition head’s design. A primitive iteration of two exposed electrodes, between which the glow wire is delicately positioned. This configuration was vulnerable to external influences, potentially compromising the glow wire’s integrity. In response, a semi-closed version was ingeniously developed, effectively addressing and mitigating these concerns.
