Electric light at the Houses of Parliament

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Electric light at the Houses of Parliament

Two engravings from 1873 showing Zenobe Grammes electric light shining from Big Ben and the electric apparatus in the clock-tower. The light was generated by a small dynamo placed 300 metres away in the basement of the House of Lords

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Media ID 4383513

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10216287

1873 Apparatus Basement Clock Dyn Amo Electric Engravings Generated Metres Parliament Shining Zenobe

FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS

> Architecture > Towers > Big Ben

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Sights > Big Ben

EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph print showcases two engravings from 1873, capturing a significant moment in the history of electricity at the Houses of Parliament in London. The first image illustrates the iconic Big Ben clock tower, with its famous clock face, aglow with the ethereal light of Zenobe Grammes' electric light. The second engraving reveals the intricate electric apparatus housed in the clock-tower, which was responsible for generating this remarkable illumination. The electric light was not produced within the tower itself, but rather, it originated from a small dynamo placed an impressive 300 metres away in the basement of the House of Lords. Zenobe Grammes, a pioneering electrical engineer, had successfully harnessed the power of electricity to illuminate the darkened night, marking a pivotal moment in the development of electrical technology. These historical engravings, sourced from ILN (Illustrated London News), depict the import of electricity into the daily life of the 19th century, and the awe-inspiring progress that was being made in this burgeoning field. The images evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity, as the world stood on the cusp of a new technological era. August 7, 1873, was a day that left an indelible mark on the annals of history, as the Houses of Parliament became the first major public building in the UK to be illuminated by electricity. This photograph print serves as a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the pioneers of the electrical age, and their relentless pursuit of innovation.

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