Language
Country/Area
No result found
Light up London's history: How did 17th-century lamps change cities?
In London in the 17th century, the darkness of the streets once became a major obstacle to pedestrians' night travel, but with the birth of new lighting fixtures, the city's history ushered in a significant transformation.The popularity of lamps has not only changed people's lifestyles, but also improved the safety and social life of the city.From the initial oil lamps to later gas and electric lamps, how did the advancements in London street lighting affect the city’s pulse?
Peals walking in the dark often feel uneasy.However, as bright lights began to shine on the streets, countless adventurers regained their confidence in the night.
As early as ancient Greece and Roman times, lamps were mainly used for safety, helping passers-by avoid tripping, and driving away potential criminals.The main source of light at that time was oil lamps, whose stable flame lasted longer, becoming the guarantee of nighttime activities.The literature mentioned that early Roman cities set up oil lamps on the streets to illuminate the dark streets and make pedestrians more at ease.
"The city still flashes with glitter at night, and the lights make life full of hope."
In the 16th century, with the advancement of lantern technology, such as the lantern with glass windows invented by Edmund Heming, the quality of street lighting was greatly improved.This change promoted the activity of social life, and the streets became a place for people to communicate and gather.In 1667, Louis XIV, France implemented street light installation regulations in Paris, providing legal guarantees for maintaining public safety and social order.By the end of the 17th century, the streets of Paris had more than 2,700 street lights, becoming the city of light at that time.
With the invention of jet gas, London's street lighting has entered a new era.In 1807, gas lights on London's Palma Street for the first time, attracting the attention of countless citizens.Due to the brightness generated by gas ignition, the city's night safety gradually improves, whether in dark streets or in noisy markets, passers-by feel more at ease because of the lights.However, this burning light has also sparked criticism, and claims about light pollution are growing.
"Lights not only illuminate the night, but also change the relationship between people and cities."
Earing the 19th century, the emergence of electricity brought fundamental changes, and street lighting in urban areas began to use electric lights.First in Newcastle, England, the first lights lit in 1879 marked the beginning of the era of electric street lights.With the advancement of technology, more and more cities have chosen to replace traditional gas lamps and gradually turned to more efficient electric lamps.The brightness provided by the light not only increases the light receiving range, but also makes the night view of the city more charming.
Although there are many problems in the early stages of technological change, street light systems are becoming more and more efficient and the number of maintenance is relatively reduced.Just imagine, if light fixtures are damaged rarely occur within a certain period of time, it will immediately solve the troubles of the common dark corners in the past.Pedestrians walk through the bustling streets at night, and with the light, life becomes more convenient and comfortable.
"When lights are no longer luxury goods, but are a necessity for every citizen's life, the appearance of the city will change quietly."
With the advancement of technology, the design of street lights in cities has also become diversified, from simple lamp posts to decorative designs, gradually forming a unique scene.Today, we can still feel the culture and traditions of the past from the design of street lights, and at the same time enjoy the convenience brought by technology.
Now, in every corner of the street, the lighting system has been constantly innovated to become more energy-saving and environmentally friendly. The introduction of automatic sensing technology allows the light to turn on automatically when needed.For many cities, lighting is not only a lighting tool, but also a symbol of the city's image and sense of security.
The history of street light development in London is still reminding us today how technology can change the aesthetics and practicality of life.In this context, how will our future city further show its unique charm in light and shadow?
