The London Gas Supply; Sketches showing Method of Manufacture; Interior of Retort House, 1891. Creator: Unknown

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The London Gas Supply; Sketches showing Method of Manufacture; Interior of Retort House, 1891. Creator: Unknown

The London Gas Supply; Sketches showing Method of Manufacture; Interior of the Retort House showing the Drawing and Charging Machines, 1891. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 44. July to December, 1891

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Media ID 36241126

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Energy Gas Works Gasworks Interiors London England United Kingdom Machine Machinery Machines Manufacturing Coal Gas Gas Supply

EDITORS COMMENTS
is an intriguing and evocative photograph from the 19th century, depicting the inner workings of a gas manufacturing plant in London, England. The image, published in "The Graphic: An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper" in 1891, offers a rare glimpse into the industrial process of producing coal gas during the Victorian era. The scene unfolds in the heart of a retort house, a large, dimly lit building where coal was transformed into usable gas. The photograph captures the drawing and charging machines in action, with men in work clothes operating the machinery. The drawing machine, located at the left of the image, is used to extract the coal tar from the retorts, while the charging machine, on the right, is responsible for adding coal to the retorts. The retorts themselves, large, cylindrical containers, are arranged in rows, their tops connected to the drawing machine by pipes. The men, focused on their tasks, are dressed in protective clothing, including aprons and hats, to shield them from the heat and fumes. The overall atmosphere is one of industry and efficiency, with the workers moving in a choreographed dance to keep the gas production running smoothly. The photograph provides a fascinating insight into the inner workings of London's gas supply system during the late 19th century. It is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the men and women who labored in the gasworks, transforming coal into a valuable energy source that powered the city's homes and businesses. The image is a reminder of a bygone era, when industrial processes were carried out on a human scale, and the importance of coal gas as a primary energy source before the advent of electricity and other modern energy sources.

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