Althofen, Austria/althofen214
Previous | Home | NextTo the right is a mantle, used in Coleman lanterns, impregnated with thorium oxide, which is a very efficient refractory material. Until the beginning of the 21st century, thorium-impregnated mantles could be found in the U.S.; now this radioactive material has been substituted by yttrium and cerium. The incadescent gas mantle was arguably the most important discovery of Welsbach, because it gave light to millions. Its patent taken out in 1885.
