Otis Singleton
The mid-1800s was a period of significant progress in the field of energy, with London at the forefront of these advancements. While electricity was 'discovered' by Benjamin Franklin in 1752, the mid-19th century marked a turning point in London's transition from coal and gas-based energy to electrification. This period saw the establishment of the West End as a vibrant entertainment district, with theatres, taverns, and arcades illuminated by innovative electric lighting, transforming the city's nightlife and shaping its modern identity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Discovery of electricity | Commonly credited to Benjamin Franklin in 1752 |
| First use of coal | 1750 |
| First coal-powered steam engine | 1769, by James Watt |
| First company to distribute gas to customers | 1812, by Frederick Winsor |
| London's network of gas-powered streetlights | 1827 |
| Discovery of photovoltaic energy | 1839, by Eduard Becquerei |
| First building in the world lit by electricity | Savoy Theatre, 1881 |
| First hydro-electric plant in the UK | 1878, in Cragside |
| First windmill to generate electricity | 1888, in Cleveland, Ohio |
| First coal-fired power station | Edison Electric Light Station, 1882 |
| First public demonstration of the television | 1926, by John Logie Baird |
| Opening of the BBC | 1927 |
| Opening of the world's first integrated national grid | 1935 |
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What You'll Learn
London's first electricity
The mid-1800s was a period of significant advancements in energy in the UK, with gas lighting already in use in London. However, electricity was still in its early days, with the basic principles only discovered in 1752 by Benjamin Franklin. The mid-19th century saw the development of coal-powered steam engines and the establishment of the UK's gas industry, which transformed lighting and energy in London and beyond.
The first street in London to be electrically lit was Victoria Embankment in 1878, using Yablochkov Candles, a type of electric carbon arc lamp. The Holborn Viaduct followed soon after, but this experiment was short-lived due to the high costs. The world's first public electricity supply was established just two months before the Holborn Viaduct project, in Godalming, Surrey, using a water wheel to generate power for 31 lamps.
In 1882, Thomas Edison opened the world's first coal-fired power station, the Edison Electric Light Station, at number 57 Holborn Viaduct in central London. This station generated electricity for public use, powering street lights and providing electricity to private residences. The plant burnt coal to drive a steam engine, which in turn drove a 27-tonne, 125-horsepower generator producing direct current at 110 volts. Initially, it lit 968 16-candle incandescent lamps, later expanding to 3,000 lamps. However, the station closed in 1886 due to significant losses, and the lamps were converted back to gas.
The Electric Lighting Acts of 1882 to 1909 allowed local authorities and companies to obtain licences and provisional orders to supply electricity, further expanding access to electricity in London and across the UK. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a flurry of electrical innovations, with the first national grid opening in 1935, transforming the way electricity was supplied and consumed.
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The Electric Lighting Acts
The mid-1800s in London saw the use of gas lighting, with almost 70,000 streetlights powered by gas in 1827. The first coal-fired power station in the world, the Edison Electric Light Station, was built in London in 1882, promising to supply light and warmth to London homes.
The 1882 Act, receiving royal assent on 18 August 1882, was the first public general electricity act with wide-ranging provisions. It specified the powers of the Board of Trade, local authorities, and companies, addressing various aspects such as land acquisition, construction, cable installation, theft and damage prevention, protection of canals and mines, and financial matters. The act consisted of 37 sections, with Section 2 clarifying that its provisions applied to any entity authorised to supply electricity within a specified area.
The Electric Lighting Act of 1888 amended the 1882 Act, extending the local authority reversion period from 21 to 42 years. The Electric Lighting (Clauses) Act of 1899 consolidated the principles from the provisional orders made under the 1882 and 1888 Acts, aiming to standardise the regulations.
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Early energy sources
The history of energy in the UK has seen several advancements and transformations over the centuries, with London playing a significant role in the adoption of new energy sources. Here is an overview of the early energy sources that paved the way for the electricity we know today.
Coal and Steam Power:
Coal played a pivotal role in powering tools and machines from around 1750 onwards. The invention of the coal-powered steam engine by James Watt in 1769 revolutionized industrial processes, making factories and mills more efficient by increasing production rates. This set the stage for the widespread use of coal as a primary energy source.
Gas Lighting:
The UK's gas industry was established in 1812 by Frederick Winsor, who founded the world's first company to distribute gas to customers through a network of underground pipes. Gas lighting transformed everyday life in London, providing reliable light and heat. By 1827, London's gas network supplied almost 70,000 streetlights, illuminating the city and making night-time travel safer.
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Power:
Hydraulics and pneumatics were well-understood concepts in the mid-to-late 1800s, and they played a crucial role in stabilizing and smoothing the output of early generators. The term "accumulator" originated from these fields, referring to devices that stored energy to regulate the inconsistent outputs of early electrical generators.
Early Electric Experiments:
Breakthroughs in electric motors and batteries in the early 1800s sparked experimentation with electrically powered vehicles. Robert Anderson, a British inventor, is credited with developing the first crude electric carriage at the turn of the 19th century. However, it was not until 1890 that the first practical electric car was invented by American chemist William Morrison.
The First Electric Lights:
The Savoy Theatre in London's West End became the first building in the world to be lit entirely by electricity when it opened in 1881. Richard D'Oyly Carte, the impresario behind the theatre, reassured the audience that electricity was safe, marking a significant milestone in public perception. The West End's theatres and pleasure districts, such as Piccadilly Circus, soon embraced electric lighting, transforming the night-time landscape and reclaiming the night for leisure.
The Edison Electric Light Station:
In 1882, the world's first coal-fired power station, the Edison Electric Light Station, was established in London. It burned coal to drive a steam turbine and generate electricity for Holborn's streetlights. This marked the beginning of a wider adoption of electricity for lighting and power across the city.
The mid-1800s in London was a period of transition, with early experiments in electricity laying the groundwork for future innovations. While coal, gas, and hydraulic power dominated the energy landscape, the foundations of modern electricity were being laid, setting the stage for the eventual electrification of London and the wider UK.
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Advancements in the Victorian period
The Victorian era, spanning Queen Victoria's 63-year reign from 1837 to 1901, was a period of great advancements and changes in Britain. During this time, Britain witnessed significant progress in various fields, including science, industry, and the arts, alongside political and social reforms. Here are some key advancements that took place during the Victorian period:
Industrialisation and Economic Growth:
Britain experienced rapid industrialisation during the Victorian era, solidifying its status as the "workshop of the world". The country became a global leader in technology, particularly in the fields of engineering, industry, and transportation. The growth of railways revolutionised food transportation to markets, and the expansion of the British Empire contributed to its economic prosperity.
Advancements in Communication:
The Victorian era saw significant developments in communication technologies. In 1837, William Fothergill Cooke and Charles Wheatstone invented the first telegraph system, which quickly spread across Britain. This system used electrical currents to transmit coded messages, and by the end of the century, a worldwide network had developed. The telephone was patented in 1876, and within a decade, 26,000 telephones were in service in Britain. Multiple switchboards were installed in major towns and cities, improving long-distance communication.
Improvements in Lighting and Energy:
Lighting and energy sources underwent notable changes during the Victorian period. In the early 1860s, oil lamps became the norm, followed by gas lighting in the 1890s. The discovery of photovoltaic energy in 1839 by Eduard Becquerei marked an early step towards solar power. The world's first coal-fired power station, the Edison Electric Light Station, was built in London in 1882, aiming to supply light and warmth to London homes. By the end of the Victorian era, electric lights began appearing in the homes of the wealthiest individuals.
Social and Political Reforms:
The Victorian era was marked by a growing emphasis on morality and social reform. Literacy and childhood education became nearly universal in Great Britain for the first time. While social inequality persisted, there were attempts to improve living conditions, and the management of sewage and water gave the UK an advanced system of public health protection. The Reform Acts of 1832, 1867, and 1884 expanded the franchise, simplified the electoral system, and reduced corruption, paving the way towards democracy.
Medical and Scientific Advancements:
Medicine advanced rapidly during the Victorian period, with the development of germ theory and increasing specialisation among doctors. The number of hospitals grew, and overall deaths decreased by about 20%. Life expectancy increased significantly, with women's life expectancy rising from around 42 to 55 and men's from 40 to 56. Scientific discoveries, such as the understanding of hydraulics and pneumatics, laid the groundwork for future electrical innovations.
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The current war
The mid-1800s saw a flurry of innovations in electricity, with London at the forefront of this energy revolution. While electricity would not become a staple in people's homes until the 20th century, the groundwork was being laid in the Victorian era.
The first step toward harnessing solar power was made in 1839 by Eduard Becquerei, who discovered photovoltaic energy. In 1878, the world's first hydro-electric plant started operating in Cragside, UK. The Edison Electric Light Station, the world's first coal-fired power station, was built in London in 1882, with the promise of supplying light and warmth to London homes.
The Electric Lighting Acts of 1882 to 1909 allowed local authorities and companies to apply for licences to supply electricity. The Savoy Theatre, which opened in 1881, was the first building in the world lit entirely by electricity. Richard D'Oyly Carte, the impresario, had to reassure the audience at the inaugural performance that electricity was safe.
Across the Atlantic, in 1880s America, Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison were engaged in a bitter feud known as the "current war". Edison argued that a direct current (DC), as delivered from a battery, was safer and more reliable for domestic use, while Tesla was determined to prove that alternating current (AC) – as generated at power stations – was safe. The rivalry between the two inventors led to risky demonstrations and experiments, with Tesla even electrocuting himself in front of an audience to prove his point. Ultimately, Tesla's AC current won out and became the standard for electricity generation and distribution.
Back in London, the West End became a spectacle of electric lighting in the late 19th century, with theatres adopting bold electric displays to promote their shows. The Gaiety, the home of burlesque on the Strand, installed a searchlight on its roof in 1878, beaming messages up into the night sky to promote the theatre. Electric lighting transformed London's West End into one of the world's great pleasure districts, comparable to Times Square in New York and the Champs Elysée in Paris, renowned for their bright lights and nightlife.
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Frequently asked questions
No, London did not have electricity in the mid-1800s. However, breakthroughs in electric motors and batteries in the early 1800s led to experimentation with electrically powered vehicles.
The world's first coal-fired power station, the Edison Electric Light Station, was built in London in 1882.
The power station burnt coal to drive a steam turbine and generate electricity for Holborn's newly electrified street lighting.
Yes, London's network provided gas to almost 70,000 streetlights by 1827.
The Savoy Theatre, which opened in 1881, was the first building in the world lit entirely by electricity.
