Lighting has been a significant concern for humanity for thousands of years. This was no different in London. Until the 16th century, most Londoners had to make do with sun and moonlight. Candles were available, yet expensive, dim and a constant fire hazard. A medieval solution was to burn thrushes, an easy-to-collect plant that created a dim light in the home. In the 1500s this changed. Besides not being able to work at night, another concern was crime. Institutions, such as the Middle Temple, built large lamps on stands around specific areas to help illuminate streets and make people feel (and hopefully be) safer. In the 18th century, the crusade to illuminate London's streets was in full swing. Gas lamps were built all around the city and by the 1790s, large swathes of the city glowed at night.
As both people became more accustomed to using artificial light for their needs and the technology evolved, London changed too. In 1813, fireworks were set alight all over the capital after Wellington's victories in Spain against Napoleon.
Yet despite this, while many roads now had gas lamps, London has a hell of a lot of streets. The Victorian Era introduced gas lighting outside of the city's key hubs. The 1860s and 1870s saw the introduction of electric lighting. It took some time for the infrastructure to be built and even by the 1930s half of London lamps still used gas. Despite this, electric lighting proved less resource intensive both in terms of the cost of materials used but also man hours. No longer did a guy with a lighter have to service every lamp during the night time.
As a result of centuries of hard work, London now has many lights glittering away after dark. From the bright angles at Oxford Circus to the common street lamp, light has been used for safety, longer working hours and pure fun.
Did you find this illuminating? If so, your welcome!
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