~~One of the most popular table lamps at the turn of the century was the Rayo Lamp.
~~"Rayo" was registered to the Standard Oil in 1906 and this lamp was marketed for the sole purpose of selling kerosene. It should be remembered that at this time lighting was the major consumer of flammable fluids and it was also at this time that Rockefeller was getting Standard Oil going. He was buying up, consolidating or just plain running small refiners out of the refining business.
~~The Rayo is a center draught lamp, a real consumer of kerosene, but it did give off enough light that one could read by it.
~~Some of you probably saw them in your homes when you were growing up. It was easily re-wicked, and its operation was simple and practical. The lamp was brass with a nickel plate and the shade was usually a 10" No. 2 Miller American Pattern.
~~Even today, the Rayo is easily found at antique stores, flea markets and with individual collectors. Many of you have electrified these lamps, and added a brightly hand painted shade. The electrification need not harm the lamp nor remove its ability to be returned to kerosene operation in a matter of minutes. Rayos are one of the easiest lamps to electrify offering everyone the opportunity to have an antique accent lamp in their home. I usually add a touch control in the electrification process so there is no switch to be installed.