Not quite sure when Stesco stoves appeared on the market but around 1950 seems to be the general opinion. They are often referred to as coil burners and run on petrol; ideally the clean variety to stop the jet clogging up. They are primed by gently heating the tank some way or another. The warmth of your hands will do the trick or a lighted candle ( dangerous) A little bit of meths also works and the ‘igniter’ is designed to be dunked in some meths to start the process. The cork is to soak up any fuel that may leak out during transportation. The one we have here in the collection is British made though it seems there are American versions in different coloured tins. There also seems to be various models/ versions. The experts tell us they were not very reliable but were very efficient when working well. We bought this one off the interent for a few pounds in 2016. It’s a pretty little thing if nothing else!