Light bulb
Date made: c.1875
Description: Early electric light bulb. Used in Douglas.
The earliest commercial electricity generation in the Island was provided by the electric tramway's Derby Castle power station, which opened in 1893 and provided a public supply in Onchan, Port Jack and elsewhere. Douglas was the last town of its size anywhere in the British Isles to be provided with a public supply.
Following the First World War the development of utilities on the Isle of Man was considered essential. To meet the demand for electricity in the Douglas area Tynwald considered whether this should be met by a subsidiary of the Douglas Gas Company or by the Douglas Corporation. In 1921 the Corporation of Douglas was granted monopoly powers to establish an electric light and power works. Electricity supplies started in June 1923.
Measurements: overall: 14 x 8 cm
Object name: light bulb
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1954-4020/a