First Naphthometers to Determine the Flash Point of Liquids: I.Open Cup Devices

The American oil revolution of 1859 and the invention of a kerosene lamp contributed to the onset of the kerosene era when candle lighting was replaced by kerosene. The side effect of this was the growth of fires and explosions due to the use of unsafe kerosene. There was a need to develop criteria for safe kerosene. The fire (burning) and flash point of kerosene were chosen as such indicators. The first stage of creating instruments to determine these indicators began in 1862 and ended at the beginning of the 20th century. This stage is characterized by the development of apparatuses of various designs, one of which were “open cup” testers. The first naphthometers (by Abel, Tag, Pease, Shaw, Saybolt, Pinkney, Squier, Indiana state, Millochau, Ettele, Cleveland, Courtois, Kissling, Brenken, Treumann, Marcusson, Schluter and “Sommer and Runge” company) are considered in the article. Many of these devices have not survived to our days and are undeservedly forgotten.