[johnfarr]

Sparking Lamps:

Small sparking lamps were used to limit the courting time of a young couple. When the light went out it meant it was time for the gentleman to leave. If a parlor lamp had been used it would have stayed lit for hours.

My Mom grew up in Gloucester, Mass and said she and her beau would sit together in the parlor until the Sparking lamp went out. Parents were never far away so no hanky panky would go on. She said "sparking" was the highly supervised equivalent of "making out."