The Light
The lighthouse has had four different light sources during its history.
First, it had an oil wick lamp, and then an oil vapor lamp, Three different fuels, whale oil, lard oil, and kerosene, were used while the oil lamps were in use. Later, two different kinds of electric lights were used.
The Station emitted a beam of light, which was swept across the arc to seaward of the Point. The lamp's light was concentrated into a beam with a first-order Fresnel lens. The lens was almost 9 feet (3 m) tall and weighed 4,330 pounds. The entire structure, including the pedestal and clockworks was 18 feet (5 m) tall and weighed 9,570 pounds (4,341 kg).
Read more about this topic: Point Sur Lighthouse
Famous quotes containing the word light:
“You who have condemned me, I know your kind. Your forebears poisoned Socrates, burned Joan of Arc, hanged, tortured all those whose only offense was to bring light into darkness.”
—Karl Brown (1897–1990)
“But no. Too soon I voun’ my charm abroke.
Noo comely soul in white like her—
Noo soul a-steppen light like her—
An’ nwone o’ comely height like her—
Went by; but all my grief agean awoke.”
—William Barnes (1801–1886)