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Coal Generation. Cold Comfort.

I have been watching an episode of "Are You Being Served." These days we boast of non coal generation days. Back then we generated most of our electricity by coal fired power stations. Back in the 70s we had the three day week. The episode entitled "Cold Comfort" shows how the staff of Grace Brothers tried to keep warm in the winter at work when the heating was turned off to conserve energy. These were the days when we had to fit 13 Amp plugs to things like electric blankets as appliances came without fitted plugs. I expect that forum members are too young to remember the 70s? (I'll have a double please).

Anyway here is a link to the episode in question. How many novel ways did the staff find to keep warm in the cold unheated department store?

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x44pkux

Z.

0 broadgage over 6 years ago

I remember the 1970s very well.

I was but a lad then.

Home made standby lighting that used 72 volts, unlike a relative who had a very impressive 252 volt system.

Torches, batteries, and candles all in very short supply.

I made numerous very simple battery lamps for friends and relatives. A screw terminal 4.5 volt "doorbell battery" with an E10 bulb holder connected to the terminals. 3.5 volt 0.3 amp bulb. No switch needed, screw bulb in to light. I must have made dozens of these. Doorbell batteries were in plentiful supply as not used for lighting.

Gas lighting was on the way out by the 70s but still very useful in the small minority of premises so equipped.
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0 Blencathra over 6 years ago

My parents ran a pub in those days and had a car battery powered set up for lights, with tin foil reflectors fitted
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Coal Generation. Cold Comfort.

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