This is the Morse code signal lamp that recalls the optical signaling lights invented by the British Royal Navy in 1897 for discreet intra-fleet communication. Sailors opened and closed shutters on the lamp to project pulses of light in Morse code, enabling instant, silent transmission of maritime intelligence. Faithful to the original, the 13 1/2"-diameter Morse code signal lamp has seven louvers in front of the bulb that open and close to emit a solid beam or filtered light for customizable illumination in a home. The aluminum lamp head is mounted on a solid aluminum cast bracket and has two brass knobs that tilt the lamp up to 45º--a feature that ships used to project light pulses onto clouds for communicating with vessels beyond the horizon. A brass handle controls the louvers, the lamp head swivels 360º, and the polished aluminum tripod is supported by three solid brass feet. Originally powered by a carbon arc lamp, this updated version requires one light bulb up to 100-watts. Plugs into AC. Light: 13 1/2" Diam x 15" D x 16" H. Entire Lamp: 76 3/4" H x 39 1/2" Diam. (25 3/4 lbs.)