This type of lamp lighter was invented by Alessandro Volta (1745–1827) in the 1770s. On a black wooden box is mounted a glass vessel with a brass sleeve into which an upper vase closed by a lid is inserted. In the lower vessel, hydrogen gas is produced by means of the chemical reaction between zinc and dilute sulphuric acid. The upper vessel is filled with water; when this flows into the lower vessel it pushes the gas through the nozzle placed on the side. The base of the instrument contains an electrophorus, consisting of a pewter plate resting on a layer of resin. The electrophorus may be extracted and charged by rubbing the resin with a piece of fur or silk cloth; the pewter is charged by induction. A tap allows gas to escape from the nozzle, and at the same time the electrophorus plate is raised and touches a brass electrode; a spark passes between the points in front of the glass vessel, igniting the gas. This in turn lights a small candle inserted into a holder.

Restored in 2017 by Paolo Brenni and Anna Giatti in the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica laboratory in Florence.

Device on display.