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Long before Apple & Google, there were the Siemens brothers
Engineering geniuses from Berlin who, in 1863 moved to London & launched one of the most innovative factories in the world
A miniature Silicone Valley in Charlton
Changing the world
One invention at a time
Long before Apple & Google, there were the Siemens brothers
Engineering geniuses from Berlin who, in 1863 moved to London & launched one of the most innovative factories in the world
A miniature Silicone Valley in Charlton
Changing the world
One invention at a time
In 1874 this factory produced thousands of miles of cable.
Using their own cable laying ship, the CS Faraday, they connected the world by laying transatlantic cables
Using their own cable laying ship, the CS Faraday, they connected the world by laying transatlantic cables
On her maiden voyage, the CS Faraday braves storms and icebergs in order to connect Ireland with New Hampshire.
She went on to lay eight transatlantic cables which is more than any other ship before or since
She went on to lay eight transatlantic cables which is more than any other ship before or since
Michael Faraday was a close friend of the brothers. He'd discovered the principles of electro magnetism in 1830, but it was the Siemens Brothers who allowed for electricity to become economically feasible
Made in Charlton, high voltage cables helped electricity spread like fire
Made in Charlton, high voltage cables helped electricity spread like fire
In 1881 in Godalming, Surrey, the first electric street lighting was switched on.
The factory in Charlton manufactured the arc lamps that soon lit factories, public buildings, streets and city squares.
Factory workers produced half a million bulbs every single month
The factory in Charlton manufactured the arc lamps that soon lit factories, public buildings, streets and city squares.
Factory workers produced half a million bulbs every single month
Early devices requires batteries. They weren't made in China but right here in this factory in Charlton.
Siemens Brothers batteries were also used for radios and in cars
Siemens Brothers batteries were also used for radios and in cars
In 1930, the Siemens Brothers developed the iPhone of its day.
The Neophone
Sleek, good looks
Improved microphone and receiver so you could move the handset around freely
And it came in any colour, as long as that colour was black
The Neophone
Sleek, good looks
Improved microphone and receiver so you could move the handset around freely
And it came in any colour, as long as that colour was black
During 1944, the Siemens brothers developed a top secret cable called the HAIS cable. This carried an oil pipeline across the English Channel to support the Allied invasion of Normandy.
The project was known as Operation PLUTO (Pipe Lines Under The Ocean)
The project was known as Operation PLUTO (Pipe Lines Under The Ocean)
The PLUTO pipelines were linked to pump stations on the English coast and were all disguised in inconspicuous buildings to hide the true nature.
Pluto cottage at Dungeness was built to look like a house & the one at Sandown was disguised as Brown's ice cream shop.
Pluto cottage at Dungeness was built to look like a house & the one at Sandown was disguised as Brown's ice cream shop.
After the war, the company went through a number of mergers and was finally acquired by the General Electric Company.
Im 1968 the factory in Charlton closed down
Beyond the decaying concrete, broken buildings & shattered glass are so many stories waiting to be revealed again
Im 1968 the factory in Charlton closed down
Beyond the decaying concrete, broken buildings & shattered glass are so many stories waiting to be revealed again
