Have You Heard About Petromax?
By Thelma
@thelme55 (77061)
Germany
April 23, 2021 2:42pm CST
I was writing again today following my writing schedule. I was thinking about how to describe the petroleum lamp that we used to have when I was in my childhood. I had to google about it and you know what I have found?
I found out that Petromax came from the word petroleum and the first name of the German Max Graetz, who created it in Germany in 1910. I have always thought that Petromax was an American invention. I never cease to learn online.
I still remember that before it was dark, my father got our Petromax which was hanging on our ceiling, pumped it and then lighted the rolled cloth inside the pressurised kerosene lamp. Then our house was lighted. It was in the 70s and there was still no electricity in our town at that time.
What have you learned something lately?
Thank you for reading. Have a nice weekend.
I still remember that before it was dark, my father got our Petromax which was hanging on our ceiling, pumped it and then lighted the rolled cloth inside the pressurised kerosene lamp. Then our house was lighted. It was in the 70s and there was still no electricity in our town at that time.
What have you learned something lately?
Thank you for reading. Have a nice weekend.36 people like this
37 responses
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
23 Apr 21
Yes, I never heard of that before either.
3 people like this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
24 Apr 21
It wasn't called Petromax here, I think. Our househelp call it 'gasera.' My folks call it lampara. We used the lamp whenever there was a blackout or a brownout. Electricity was automatically shut off whenever the typhoon lashed or when there was fierce bolts of lightning.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
26 Apr 21
I think that was how it was called in Luzon area. In the south of the Philippines , it was called Petromax. I have not seen this lamp again and so I am wondering if it is still sold there. Thank you @eileenleyva.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
30 Apr 21
@thelme55 Am not sure. Will check it out when I visit Home Depot. Which will probably be not in the near future. But they have new and old styles of lamps there.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
1 May 21
@eileenleyva I see. Thank you. Enjoy your weekend.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
24 Apr 21
we used to use a lantern-like that in our camping trips. it lights a lot of space for sure!
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
25 Apr 21
I see. It must be very helpful when having this lamp during camping. Thank you @DocAndersen.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
26 Apr 21
@DocAndersen That sounds good. I have not experienced camping. Must be fun.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
25 Apr 21
@thelme55 we had a cook in our pop up camper that we could hang it on. most nights that was the only light!
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
24 Apr 21
No, I haven't. You know what, we lived next to Hawaiian Electric power plant. We had electricity. Definitely learning new things. I recently found Monk Fruit Sugar.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
25 Apr 21
That’s great that you were living next to an electric power plant. Thank you @oahuwriter.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
26 Apr 21
@thelme55
I'm a Senior Citizen, had electricity all my life. When my Mom was alive, she'd talk history of outhouse, rural living where today it's a huge shopping complex... I've had modern conveniences seen from stove to microwave to hot air cooking.
1 person likes this
@freelancermariagrace (27970)
• Philippines
24 Apr 21
Thank you for sharing this information. I have just learned what MBTC means recently. - more birthdays to come 
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
25 Apr 21
You are welcome @freelancermariagrace. What is MBTC? Thank you.
1 person likes this
@profree2019 (1218)
• Barquisimeto, Venezuela
25 Apr 21
Well, friend I must tell you that right now I am learning something new. When I read the title of your publication, I swear to you that I thought it was referring to a company or something like that, of course, when reading the content I realize that it is the well-known "kerosene lamp" which is the name with which I met her. And thank you because you have helped me to not go to bed today without learning something.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
25 Apr 21
What a nice comment @profree2019. Yes, it is a kerosene lamp. Petromax is a brand name which is commonly used in my home country before. I don’t know if this lamp is still used in the Philippines now. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
26 Apr 21
@profree2019 I see. The last time I saw petroleum lamp was in the late 70s in my parents house. I have no idea if it is still offered in the stores there.
@profree2019 (1218)
• Barquisimeto, Venezuela
25 Apr 21
@thelme55 Friend, I can tell you that I knew it as a child, my grandparents used it. But now after many years they have reappeared, and people have taken them out of the trunks, due to the electrical energy problems that my country presents (among others).
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69714)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Apr 21
Doesn't surprise me. America is well-known for outsourcing from other countries. Very little is actually American-made. We're not called a melting pot for nothing. You can find almost every other caulture's influance somewhere.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
25 Apr 21
That is good to know @kaylachan. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112878)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Apr 21
I am not sure if a hurricane lamp is the same as what you have, I know very little about either one.
I hope your week will be wonderful
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
24 Apr 21
I had not heard of it only through you Thelma.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
25 Apr 21
Now you have. Thank you @RebeccasFarm. Have a nice Sunday.
Thank you @RebeccasFarm. Have a nice Sunday.1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (35577)
• Philippines
24 Apr 21
We call it Petromax as well. We did not own one before. We only managed to do DIY lamp.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77061)
• Germany
25 Apr 21
I see. My father made diy lamp, too. Thank you @jobelbojel.
1 person likes this
