Print shows 14 designs of C.A. Kleemann's St. Germain Student and other kerosene and oil lamps. The first description of a simple lamp using crude mineral oil was provided by al-Razi (Rhazes) in 9th century Baghdad, who referred to it as the "naffatah" in his Kitab al-Asrar (Book of Secrets). In 1846 Abraham Pineo Gesner invented a substitute for whale oil for lighting, distilled from coal. Later made from petroleum, kerosene became a popular lighting fuel. The use of oil lamps began thousands of years ago and continues to this day. Oil lamps are a form of lighting, and were used as an alternative to candles before the use of electric lights. A kerosene lamp is a type of lighting device that uses kerosene as a fuel. Kerosene lamps have a wick or mantle as light source, protected by a glass chimney or globe; lamps may be used on a table, or hand-held lanterns may be used for portable lighting. Like oil lamps, they are useful for lighting without electricity. Engraving by Charles Hinrichs, 1881.