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Time for my #Mains thread. Grab a beer. Or maybe a glass of water 
.... These are Roman water valves in the town of Pompeii. Probably older than 100 BC but who knows. #ThisIsEngineering [1/20]
![Time for my #Mains thread. Grab a beer. Or maybe a glass of water .... These are Roman water valves in the town of Pompeii. Probably older than 100 BC but who knows. #ThisIsEngineering [1/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Empxnw9XIAAGNsA.jpg "Time for my #Mains thread. Grab a beer. Or maybe a glass of water .... These are Roman water valves in the town of Pompeii. Probably older than 100 BC but who knows. #ThisIsEngineering [1/20]")
.... These are Roman water valves in the town of Pompeii. Probably older than 100 BC but who knows. #ThisIsEngineering [1/20]
This is a lead water pipe running through the streets of ancient Pompeii. The water distribution system in this town is quite phenomenal. I have toured it in gobsmacked awe. Itās probably superior to that of Grimsby to this day 
[2/20]
![This is a lead water pipe running through the streets of ancient Pompeii. The water distribution system in this town is quite phenomenal. I have toured it in gobsmacked awe. Itās probably superior to that of Grimsby to this day [2/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxoO-XUAM6UHl.jpg "This is a lead water pipe running through the streets of ancient Pompeii. The water distribution system in this town is quite phenomenal. I have toured it in gobsmacked awe. Itās probably superior to that of Grimsby to this day [2/20]")
[2/20]
Much more recent, and perhaps counter-intuitively, elm pipes were used in late Georgian times to supply fresh water & remove sewage (not in the same pipe 
) in London & elsewhere. These wooden pipes got the handle āmainsā. Thereās evidence that Romans used the same term [3/20]
![Much more recent, and perhaps counter-intuitively, elm pipes were used in late Georgian times to supply fresh water & remove sewage (not in the same pipe ) in London & elsewhere. These wooden pipes got the handle āmainsā. Thereās evidence that Romans used the same term [3/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxorkW8AArCjS.jpg "Much more recent, and perhaps counter-intuitively, elm pipes were used in late Georgian times to supply fresh water & remove sewage (not in the same pipe ) in London & elsewhere. These wooden pipes got the handle āmainsā. Thereās evidence that Romans used the same term [3/20]")
) in London & elsewhere. These wooden pipes got the handle āmainsā. Thereās evidence that Romans used the same term [3/20]
Itās possible the phrase āmainsā was used to distinguish the large arterial pipes from the smaller sub-branch distribution pipes. Iām not convinced by this tbh. This is clearly MAINS water but then so is your kitchen tap in every day parlance. Is it not? 
[4/20]
![Itās possible the phrase āmainsā was used to distinguish the large arterial pipes from the smaller sub-branch distribution pipes. Iām not convinced by this tbh. This is clearly MAINS water but then so is your kitchen tap in every day parlance. Is it not? [4/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxpIYXYAkrUZS.jpg "Itās possible the phrase āmainsā was used to distinguish the large arterial pipes from the smaller sub-branch distribution pipes. Iām not convinced by this tbh. This is clearly MAINS water but then so is your kitchen tap in every day parlance. Is it not? [4/20]")
[4/20]
Either way, water and sewage pipes as long ago as 100BC were referred to as #Mains in that they served communities with fresh water and removed their sewage waste. People recognised them although significantly they were invariably buried. Out of sight and out of mind 
[5/20]
![Either way, water and sewage pipes as long ago as 100BC were referred to as #Mains in that they served communities with fresh water and removed their sewage waste. People recognised them although significantly they were invariably buried. Out of sight and out of mind [5/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxpjiXYAIWcza.jpg "Either way, water and sewage pipes as long ago as 100BC were referred to as #Mains in that they served communities with fresh water and removed their sewage waste. People recognised them although significantly they were invariably buried. Out of sight and out of mind [5/20]")
[5/20]
Interestingly we also say āgas mainā and āwatch out for that pressurised gas mainā etc. Well at least I do. But Iām involved with digging up the streets, from time to time. Lucky old me eh.... [6/20]
![Interestingly we also say āgas mainā and āwatch out for that pressurised gas mainā etc. Well at least I do. But Iām involved with digging up the streets, from time to time. Lucky old me eh.... [6/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxqY0WEAAOIFR.jpg "Interestingly we also say āgas mainā and āwatch out for that pressurised gas mainā etc. Well at least I do. But Iām involved with digging up the streets, from time to time. Lucky old me eh.... [6/20]")
Public electricity supply in Great Britain started in 1881 in Godalming in Surrey and a year later at the Holborn Viaduct in London. In those days it was all about electric lighting and predominantly bare wires strung from poles and chimney tops. Cables came a little later [7/20]
![Public electricity supply in Great Britain started in 1881 in Godalming in Surrey and a year later at the Holborn Viaduct in London. In those days it was all about electric lighting and predominantly bare wires strung from poles and chimney tops. Cables came a little later [7/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxrKiWEAY2zYt.jpg "Public electricity supply in Great Britain started in 1881 in Godalming in Surrey and a year later at the Holborn Viaduct in London. In those days it was all about electric lighting and predominantly bare wires strung from poles and chimney tops. Cables came a little later [7/20]")
One of the most significant schemes was the LESCo system at New Bond St & later Deptford. Importantly, the Deptford power station of 1889 required cables to transmit the energy to Central London. Bare wires would not have been practical that far. Hereās Ferranti & Co in 88 [8/20]
![One of the most significant schemes was the LESCo system at New Bond St & later Deptford. Importantly, the Deptford power station of 1889 required cables to transmit the energy to Central London. Bare wires would not have been practical that far. Hereās Ferranti & Co in 88 [8/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Empxr4YXEAYcUk1.jpg "One of the most significant schemes was the LESCo system at New Bond St & later Deptford. Importantly, the Deptford power station of 1889 required cables to transmit the energy to Central London. Bare wires would not have been practical that far. Hereās Ferranti & Co in 88 [8/20]")
The Fowler-Waring jute / hessian wrap cables originally used were electrically sound but tended to catch fire by the railway. They were basically beefed up telegraph cables, and flexible in nature. Their continued failure cost Ferranti dearly in Ā£Ā£Ā£ and reps 
[9/20]
![The Fowler-Waring jute / hessian wrap cables originally used were electrically sound but tended to catch fire by the railway. They were basically beefed up telegraph cables, and flexible in nature. Their continued failure cost Ferranti dearly in Ā£Ā£Ā£ and reps [9/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxsVPW8AQDQmX.jpg "The Fowler-Waring jute / hessian wrap cables originally used were electrically sound but tended to catch fire by the railway. They were basically beefed up telegraph cables, and flexible in nature. Their continued failure cost Ferranti dearly in Ā£Ā£Ā£ and reps [9/20]")
[9/20]
Deptford almost finished and debts mounting, Ferranti HAD to reinforce the LESCo system urgently. He set about inventing the worldās FIRST paper insulated HV power cable. The so-called āFerranti tubular mainā. This had a cast iron sleeve and was RIGID [10/20]
![Deptford almost finished and debts mounting, Ferranti HAD to reinforce the LESCo system urgently. He set about inventing the worldās FIRST paper insulated HV power cable. The so-called āFerranti tubular mainā. This had a cast iron sleeve and was RIGID [10/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxtGyXIAobPfX.jpg "Deptford almost finished and debts mounting, Ferranti HAD to reinforce the LESCo system urgently. He set about inventing the worldās FIRST paper insulated HV power cable. The so-called āFerranti tubular mainā. This had a cast iron sleeve and was RIGID [10/20]")
Ferranti was an undisputed genius. Solving every problem before him. The cables were intended to take current at 10,000 volts over some 8 miles. This was hitherto unheard of. Even Edison came to Deptford to see for himself 
[11/20]
![Ferranti was an undisputed genius. Solving every problem before him. The cables were intended to take current at 10,000 volts over some 8 miles. This was hitherto unheard of. Even Edison came to Deptford to see for himself [11/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxtdRXcAAmS0K.jpg "Ferranti was an undisputed genius. Solving every problem before him. The cables were intended to take current at 10,000 volts over some 8 miles. This was hitherto unheard of. Even Edison came to Deptford to see for himself [11/20]")
[11/20]
The Board of Trade (amongst others) were concerned about having HV AC electric current at 10kV under Londonās streets. They demanded a safety demonstration! Ferranti proudly showed off the first cable spiking gun to an assembled gathering of press and officials [12/20]
![The Board of Trade (amongst others) were concerned about having HV AC electric current at 10kV under Londonās streets. They demanded a safety demonstration! Ferranti proudly showed off the first cable spiking gun to an assembled gathering of press and officials [12/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxuHCXYAEr9lx.jpg "The Board of Trade (amongst others) were concerned about having HV AC electric current at 10kV under Londonās streets. They demanded a safety demonstration! Ferranti proudly showed off the first cable spiking gun to an assembled gathering of press and officials [12/20]")
![The Board of Trade (amongst others) were concerned about having HV AC electric current at 10kV under Londonās streets. They demanded a safety demonstration! Ferranti proudly showed off the first cable spiking gun to an assembled gathering of press and officials [12/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxuGzWMAQ-5lh.jpg "The Board of Trade (amongst others) were concerned about having HV AC electric current at 10kV under Londonās streets. They demanded a safety demonstration! Ferranti proudly showed off the first cable spiking gun to an assembled gathering of press and officials [12/20]")
A Board of Trade inspector asked the chisel man if he was frightened at driving a spike through a LIVE 10,000 volt cable! āDamned dangerous Sir- old Henty hasnāt held a hammer in years!ā G A Henty was a famous author of boyās stories @Madamejojo He also banged live cables [13/20]
![A Board of Trade inspector asked the chisel man if he was frightened at driving a spike through a LIVE 10,000 volt cable! āDamned dangerous Sir- old Henty hasnāt held a hammer in years!ā G A Henty was a famous author of boyās stories @Madamejojo He also banged live cables [13/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxutXXUAYoHRx.jpg "A Board of Trade inspector asked the chisel man if he was frightened at driving a spike through a LIVE 10,000 volt cable! āDamned dangerous Sir- old Henty hasnāt held a hammer in years!ā G A Henty was a famous author of boyās stories @Madamejojo He also banged live cables [13/20]")
When the streets around Deptford were exactavated, the cables were laid in trenches. Ferranti made the cable in 20ft lengths and not only invented the joints, but also founded a school for cable jointers!! [14/20]
![When the streets around Deptford were exactavated, the cables were laid in trenches. Ferranti made the cable in 20ft lengths and not only invented the joints, but also founded a school for cable jointers!! [14/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxvfWXIAYTHe4.jpg "When the streets around Deptford were exactavated, the cables were laid in trenches. Ferranti made the cable in 20ft lengths and not only invented the joints, but also founded a school for cable jointers!! [14/20]")
There were over 30 miles of cable produced with a joint every 20 feet!! These photos are from early 1900s cable laying. This was still a very new thing for ordinary folk to see. Trenches full of snaking power cables. What magic is this? [15/20]
![There were over 30 miles of cable produced with a joint every 20 feet!! These photos are from early 1900s cable laying. This was still a very new thing for ordinary folk to see. Trenches full of snaking power cables. What magic is this? [15/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxwEDWMAE_YoW.jpg "There were over 30 miles of cable produced with a joint every 20 feet!! These photos are from early 1900s cable laying. This was still a very new thing for ordinary folk to see. Trenches full of snaking power cables. What magic is this? [15/20]")
![There were over 30 miles of cable produced with a joint every 20 feet!! These photos are from early 1900s cable laying. This was still a very new thing for ordinary folk to see. Trenches full of snaking power cables. What magic is this? [15/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxwENWMAAj5A4.jpg "There were over 30 miles of cable produced with a joint every 20 feet!! These photos are from early 1900s cable laying. This was still a very new thing for ordinary folk to see. Trenches full of snaking power cables. What magic is this? [15/20]")
One of Ferrantiās gangers at Deptford reported an inquisitive member of the public enquiring if they were ālaying new water mainsā in the open trenches. No Sir! These are electric mains came the reply. The concentric cable in an iron pipe was essentially rigid & straight! [16/20]
![One of Ferrantiās gangers at Deptford reported an inquisitive member of the public enquiring if they were ālaying new water mainsā in the open trenches. No Sir! These are electric mains came the reply. The concentric cable in an iron pipe was essentially rigid & straight! [16/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxwyRXUAcxDuG.jpg "One of Ferrantiās gangers at Deptford reported an inquisitive member of the public enquiring if they were ālaying new water mainsā in the open trenches. No Sir! These are electric mains came the reply. The concentric cable in an iron pipe was essentially rigid & straight! [16/20]")
![One of Ferrantiās gangers at Deptford reported an inquisitive member of the public enquiring if they were ālaying new water mainsā in the open trenches. No Sir! These are electric mains came the reply. The concentric cable in an iron pipe was essentially rigid & straight! [16/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxwybWMAcIZBO.jpg "One of Ferrantiās gangers at Deptford reported an inquisitive member of the public enquiring if they were ālaying new water mainsā in the open trenches. No Sir! These are electric mains came the reply. The concentric cable in an iron pipe was essentially rigid & straight! [16/20]")
Hereās a bit of my Ferranti Tubular Main. When it acquired that name Iām not sure. Maybe in the 1890s but more likely in the 1930s after its true historical significance was fully appreciated by historians of technology. Iāve always called it thus 
[17/20]
![Hereās a bit of my Ferranti Tubular Main. When it acquired that name Iām not sure. Maybe in the 1890s but more likely in the 1930s after its true historical significance was fully appreciated by historians of technology. Iāve always called it thus [17/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxxauW4AIi_Wr.jpg "Hereās a bit of my Ferranti Tubular Main. When it acquired that name Iām not sure. Maybe in the 1890s but more likely in the 1930s after its true historical significance was fully appreciated by historians of technology. Iāve always called it thus [17/20]")
[17/20]
In Britain and Canada we refer to the fixed public electricity supply / municipal utility as āMAINSā but I think strangely the phrase is used more for electric nowadays than it is for water or gas. I like the concept of āplug it in the hydroā being Canadian parlance 
[18/20]
![In Britain and Canada we refer to the fixed public electricity supply / municipal utility as āMAINSā but I think strangely the phrase is used more for electric nowadays than it is for water or gas. I like the concept of āplug it in the hydroā being Canadian parlance [18/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpxyKVW8AUzMcm.jpg "In Britain and Canada we refer to the fixed public electricity supply / municipal utility as āMAINSā but I think strangely the phrase is used more for electric nowadays than it is for water or gas. I like the concept of āplug it in the hydroā being Canadian parlance [18/20]")
[18/20]
And itās all down to the visual similarity between these two, one a water pipe and one an electric pipe. Bizarre. The analogues between the two rarely work tbh. Littered with flaws [19/20]
![And itās all down to the visual similarity between these two, one a water pipe and one an electric pipe. Bizarre. The analogues between the two rarely work tbh. Littered with flaws [19/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpySwmXYAU2-Ks.jpg "And itās all down to the visual similarity between these two, one a water pipe and one an electric pipe. Bizarre. The analogues between the two rarely work tbh. Littered with flaws [19/20]")
![And itās all down to the visual similarity between these two, one a water pipe and one an electric pipe. Bizarre. The analogues between the two rarely work tbh. Littered with flaws [19/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpySwlXEAECQPd.jpg "And itās all down to the visual similarity between these two, one a water pipe and one an electric pipe. Bizarre. The analogues between the two rarely work tbh. Littered with flaws [19/20]")
Next time you hear the phrase #Mains powered, think of these pioneering fellows, laying iron pipes under London carrying high voltage electricity for the very first time in the world! And driving a chisel through the mains, LIVE, to prove it was safe [20/20]
![Next time you hear the phrase #Mains powered, think of these pioneering fellows, laying iron pipes under London carrying high voltage electricity for the very first time in the world! And driving a chisel through the mains, LIVE, to prove it was safe [20/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpyZ2sXEAAUqVc.jpg "Next time you hear the phrase #Mains powered, think of these pioneering fellows, laying iron pipes under London carrying high voltage electricity for the very first time in the world! And driving a chisel through the mains, LIVE, to prove it was safe [20/20]")
![Next time you hear the phrase #Mains powered, think of these pioneering fellows, laying iron pipes under London carrying high voltage electricity for the very first time in the world! And driving a chisel through the mains, LIVE, to prove it was safe [20/20]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmpyZ28WEAAp2MR.jpg "Next time you hear the phrase #Mains powered, think of these pioneering fellows, laying iron pipes under London carrying high voltage electricity for the very first time in the world! And driving a chisel through the mains, LIVE, to prove it was safe [20/20]")
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