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Aimé Argand, a Swiss inventor, revolutionized lighting with his 1784 patent for the Argand burner. This was the first scientifically designed oil lamp, marking a significant advancement after thousands of years.12

The Argand burner featured a cylindrical wick positioned between two metal tubes. This design allowed air to flow both inside and outside the wick, creating a steadier, smokeless flame that produced about ten times more light than previous lamps. A glass chimney further enhanced the draft, leading to more complete combustion. This innovation became the primary lighthouse illuminant for over a century.123

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