There was Light… and it was good
So, first, let me review basic rules of this game. Materials must be found routinely about the house or car. These are things commonly added to your shopping list, items you won’t likely forget to resupply. That means something kept on hand, perhaps for some other purpose entirely… such as a basic ingredient of pizza-making. And if it is already a dual-purpose item, some creative thinking may reveal even more functions in a pinch. Then, don’t forget to consider its trade value for those weeks when even cash money proves worthless –unless this high-rag paper that bears a presidential portrait can be used to make candle wicks. Talk about ‘burning’ through your savings!
So… what kind of stuff is used to make pizza (the really good kind) and produces an excellent light with help of just about any wicking material? Besides, this magic stuff may boast any number of added virtues: medicinal, cosmetic, hygienic, etc.; truly a multi-purposed commodity.
Answer: cooking oil. Olive oil works best—burns bright, smokeless and efficient. But even bacon fat will allow itself to melt and be drawn up a short length of cotton shoelace (very like a candle), assuming you can ignite a flame. But I like the olive oil lamp best; just an ounce or two at bottom of a glass dish or jar will last the night or longer. Punch a hole in a metal bottle lid or soda can bottom to make a serviceable ‘boat’ that floats your wick and reflects your flame:

Found online at Judy of the Woods
Materials:
Olive oil
(or other vegetable/ mineral oil)
Triangular wedge of cardboard or cork
(as a float); or cut the bottom from an aluminum can; salvage a screw-on metal lid (to form a boat)
Utility scissors; hammer and nail
(to punch a hole in your float for the wick)
Piece of cotton string or strip of fabric
(rolled up paper toweling works)
Ceramic dish, empty jam jar
(canning jar or some other clear glass container)
Optional spare wire coat hanger and pliers
(form a hook to grab the floating wick; or make a handle for carrying the jar, as glass grows hot to touch)

Some alcohols and solvents will work for fuel as well, though hazardous to handle. I will feature another idea for light and heat in a later installment featuring rubbing alcohol and toilet paper. That sounds fun!
Again, be sure to print this page and keep it for reference. Fold it up showing the headline at top to file in a shoe-box under your bed… first of many catalogue cards for ready reference in an emergency –the original low-tech ‘computer’ database immune to energy blackouts. Label the box ‘Survival Treasures’ in case the grandkids stumble upon it while playing Hide and Seek.
More oil lamp designs:
http://modernsurvivalblog.com/alternative-energy/do-it-yourself-olive-oil-lamp/
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Water-Candles
http://putitinajar.com/crafts/mason_jar_oil_lamp/
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