Railroad Hand-Signal Lantern, 1870s-80s
date: label: date made
content: 1970-1989
label: date made
content: 1870s to 1880s
label: date made
content: ca. 1870-1880s
name: label: maker
content: Adams & Westlake Company
notes: label: Description
content: This railroad hand-signal kerosene lantern was manufactured by the Adams & Westlake Company of Chicago, Illinois around 1870. Adlake was a major equipment supplier to railroads during the Westward expansion. The lantern is made of metal with a wire frame protecting the glass globe. The globe has the frosted name “J.H. Barrelle” in the center, surrounded by frosted glass floral designs. J.H. Barrelle was an agent for the Milwaukee Railroad, living in South Dakota in 1881, who likely used this hand-signal lantern.
label: Description
content: Before the advent of portable two way radios, train crews communicated via hand signals during the day, and lantern signals during periods of low visibility or at night. Specific motions of the lantern convey precise instructions such as “Clear to Depart;" "Move the train Forward;" "Move the train Backward;" "Slow Down;" "Slow Down Further;" or "Stop and Remain Stopped."
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
topic: label: Subject
content: Railroads
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Transportation, Railroad
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content: Work
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content: Communications
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content: Transportation
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: TR.322916
label: catalog number
content: 322916
label: accession number
content: 249870
objectType: label: Object Name
content: lantern, hand signal
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: glass (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 10 1/2 in x 5 1/8 in; 26.67 cm x 13.0175 cm