Classic London
by Terri Waters
Title
Classic London
Artist
Terri Waters
Medium
Photograph
Description
A Lamp on Westminster Bridge with Queen Elizabeth Tower, housing the Big Ben Bell, behind.
On the 28th January, 1807, the gas lamps on Pall Mall were lit by the London and Westminster Gas Light and Coke Company, making it the first street in the world to be illuminated by the warm glow of gas light.
Less than two years later, on December 31, 1813, the Westminster Bridge was also lit by gas.
Incredibly, several areas of London are still lit by gas two centuries on, including a large part of Covent Garden, the Royal Parks and the exterior of Buckingham Palace.
A lot of street lamps still have a horizontal bar protruding from the top just below the actual lamp. This bar was for the lamplighter to rest his ladder against as he climbed up to light the gas lamp with his light.
The early lamplighters carried their ladders, wick trimmers and whale. Setting out just before dusk, dressed in hat and coat, with a cheery whistle or song to let the public know that they were in the vicinity, they undertook their essential role and then returned at dawn to extinguish the light. The role didn't change much with the onset of gas lights except they had to take care not to get blown off their ladders from a build up of gas in the bowls.
Featured image in the groups:
Artists Best Five Artwork 02/24/2015
Industrial Art 03/04/2015
The City of London 06/29/2016
Uploaded
February 22nd, 2015
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