At the turn of the last century Mr W C Coleman worked as a salesman selling typewriters, on a visit to one of his clients he spotted a lantern that used gasoline instead of the usual kerosene. So impressed by the idea behind the lantern Mr Coleman buys the patent and set out design a better version of the lantern. Launched as the Coleman Arc lamp in 1901, the lantern proves to be a huge success. In 1915 the US government declares the lanterns “essential item” of world war one. Over 70,000 lanterns are distributed throughout the US, helping farmers and workers to work extended hours to make items critical to the war effort. Continue reading →