| The Protector Lamp & Lighting Company is best known as a producer of miners' safety lamps.The safety lamp is essentially a highly sophisticated form of oil or spirit lamp of extremely robust construction. The Company was formed in May 1873 to acquire the business and patent rights of William Edward Teale, oil and lamp manufacturer, of 11 Mark Lane, Manchester. The Company's Memorandum of Association mentions two patents which had been obtained by Mr Teale: one dated 15th November 1869 for 'Improvements in Mining Lamps' and the other dated 4th December 1872 for 'Improvements in Guards for Gas Lights, and in an improved method of Lighting while under the protection of Guards'. | The first reference to Prestwich's improved miners' safety lamps appears in the minutes of the board meeting held on 10th November 1890: 'With regard to Mr Prestwich's improvement, it was decided that it would be taken out in the joint name of the Company and Prestwich.' Development of the new safety lamp proceeded rapidly and was patented in 1891. Letters patent for a further improvement were taken out in 1892. By this time Prestwich had a seat on the board and had been appointed managing director.1892 was an important year for the Protector as well as for Eccles, for, in that year, the Company moved from Valley Mill to the present Lansdowne Road site. |