Talk:Godalming
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[edit] Electric lighting
- "Godalming came to world attention in 1881, when it became the first town in the United Kingdom to install a public supply of electricity, and the first in the world to boast electric street lighting, driven by a dynamo at Westbrook watermill."
A claim also made by Cockermouth. Cutler 07:49, 3 October 2005 (UTC)
Have done some quick internet research and can find many references to Godalming's claim and none for Cockermouth. Does anyone have any evidence for this? Jon C
- The Godalming generating station definitely deserves its own article if its priority can be verified. See Pearl Street Station. What is the source for the Godalming claim of priority, what date did it go in service, supplying how much electricity, and how long did it operate? This is too important a bit of history to stand without a verifiable and reliable citation. [1] says "But the initial supply to Godalming was only 30 incandescent lamps and three arc lights, and didn't last long." Thanks. Edison 21:01, 15 November 2006 (UTC)
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- Here is a relevant link at the Goldaming Museum's website- [2]. --Sean Brunnock 21:42, 15 November 2006 (UTC)
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- Edison had public demonstrated "dozens" of his electric lights around Menlo Park, New Jersey in the week following Christmas, 1879. "Edison, a biography," by Matthew Josephson, McGraw Hill, 1959.pp 224-227). The S.S. Columbia was lit with 4 generators and 115 lamps in May 1880. (Josephson, pg 237). A half-mile square area of Menlo Park was wired in 1880 in a test of the underground distribution to be used in New York City, and portions were lit in November 1880. The whole system, with a 120 HP engine and 425 incandescent lamps was fired up January 28, 1881 for at least 12 hours as a demonstration and test of operating efficiency.(Josephson, p247) Would that not precede the illumination of Godalming? Godalming has a definite place in electric utility history. Others had operated arc lights, but the dozens of Swan incandescent bulbs around town deserve some recognition. I'm just not convinced it had that great an impact on the electric utility industry, because of the small scale and reported short operating life. There is no indication that the bulbs, generation, and distribution methods used there had the potential to be scaled up much or that they influenced subsequent central station construction. Holborn Viaduct and Pearl Street seem to be more notable as models for the development of the industry. But I do want to see an article on Godalming. A map of the area powered and more stats are needed, and public domain or licensed illustrations. Thanks.
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- {http://www.electricity.gg/about/companyhistory/daysofelectricpower.asp} says the Godalming generation was shut down in May, 1884, and totalled 15 kw. I would love to find primary sources. Edison 22:16, 15 November 2006 (UTC)
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- Edison had public demonstrated "dozens" of his electric lights around Menlo Park, New Jersey in the week following Christmas, 1879. "Edison, a biography," by Matthew Josephson, McGraw Hill, 1959.pp 224-227). The S.S. Columbia was lit with 4 generators and 115 lamps in May 1880. (Josephson, pg 237). A half-mile square area of Menlo Park was wired in 1880 in a test of the underground distribution to be used in New York City, and portions were lit in November 1880. The whole system, with a 120 HP engine and 425 incandescent lamps was fired up January 28, 1881 for at least 12 hours as a demonstration and test of operating efficiency.(Josephson, p247) Would that not precede the illumination of Godalming? Godalming has a definite place in electric utility history. Others had operated arc lights, but the dozens of Swan incandescent bulbs around town deserve some recognition. I'm just not convinced it had that great an impact on the electric utility industry, because of the small scale and reported short operating life. There is no indication that the bulbs, generation, and distribution methods used there had the potential to be scaled up much or that they influenced subsequent central station construction. Holborn Viaduct and Pearl Street seem to be more notable as models for the development of the industry. But I do want to see an article on Godalming. A map of the area powered and more stats are needed, and public domain or licensed illustrations. Thanks.
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The whole question of firsts needs to be resolved and Godalming combined both public and private lighting in one undertaking and the reasom why Godalming is recorded as the first is that electricity was available to local consumers. Historically a date of 26th September 1881 is recorded when supply was given, this pre dates the Edison Holborn Viaduct supply of January 1882 (which pre dates his Pearl Street station of September 1882), and the Hammond Brighton supply of February 1882. I have a lot of information about Godalming , Edisons Holborn Viaduct and Hammonds Brighton. Aquizard 16:15, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
