First Naphthometers to Determine the Flash Point of Liquids: III.1 Vapor Testers.

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, among them were vapor testers. The first naphthometers (Salleron-Urbain, Vander Weyde, Blair, Meusel, Byasson, Geissler, Liebermann, Stoddard, Beilstein, Mack, Bernstein, Braun, Wright, Meyer, Meyer–Hörler, Haass, Abelianz and Bradley–Hale) are considered in the article. These devices have not survived to our days and are undeservedly forgotten, however, the ideas embodied in their principle of operation are being successfully used at present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]