|
Automatic Light Controlling Company, Ltd.
|
British, Foreign And Colonial Automatic Light Controlling Company, Ltd.
100 Holdenhurst Road
Bournemouth
England
|
Firm founded in 1905.
"A member of the Bournemouth Council, the late Councillor John Gunning, as the inventor of the
first clock driven street lamp gas lighting controller; this has resulted in a small
flourishing industry in the town, manufacturing gas controllers and electric time switches." - 1938 Paper
It was about 50 years ago when the idea of a 'Mechanical Lamplighter', or 'Extinguisher',
was causing Mr. John Gunning, many a night's lost of rest - for it was then that he
patented and brought out his first Controller. The introduction of this 'Snuffer' was not easy
going for, with the exception of a few gas engineers of the day, it was not generally appreciated
that the new Controller would eventually be the Pioneer of Public Lighting Control. A company was
formed to produce this extinguisher and this, coupled with the Incandescent Mantle, gave public
lighting a major place in the everyday life of a community.
This early type did not do away with Lamplighters, because they still had to make the nightly
trip to light up. His duty then included the winding of the mechanism by pulling a short chain with
this torch pole, this action turned on the gas which was ignited by the tour. The clockwork was made
to turn a dial to which a finger was attached at a predetermined position, so that after the clock
had run for a given period, this finger struck the gas tap, and turned it off. Although this Controller
did not cut-out the cost of Lamplighters, it did ensure the gas beign turned off at a fixed time,
and the saving in this respect alone soon proved its commercial advantages for general use.
From the date of its inception, imrpovemetns in the controller developed to meet the requirements of
both lighting and extinguishing. Also the earliest type controller was made for use before the Mantle
was introduced and the open type gas flame burner was the one means of using gas. - Public Lighting #43, 1946
In 1932, are boasting "a worldwide reputation for simplicity of construction, accuracy,
reliability and efficiency of action." - APLE Exhibition Catalogue 1932
They exhibited a full range of their well-known
Gunfire Gas Controllers suitable for
all types of lanterns for street lighting and their
Electric Gunfire time switches at the
1936 APLE Conference in Cheltenham. - Public Lighting #3, 1936
In 1937 they are exhibiting in Folkestone which was one of the earliest Boroughs to adopt
Automatic Street Lighting Control. - APLE Conference Programme 1937
The display of 1938 includes many of the Gunfire products. In the Gas Section, a comprehensive range
of Gas Controllers are shown including 15, 21 or 40-day gradual and quick action types including a compact new
model. On the Electric side various models are exhibited, either hand-wound 15 to 40-day run or self-starting
synchronous motor driven types. This includes a new SS synchronous model, complete with astronomical dial. - APLE Conference Programme 1938
The "Pilot" Electric Igniter was added to the gas section in 1939 and the "GF" time switch was
being promoted as a new electrical time switch solution. - APLE Conference Programme 1939
During the "Black-out", the company waived all hire contracts for their equipment. They sent the following letter to
their customers: "We have decided under the circumstances
to make NO CHARGE for the hire of Controllers and Time Switches out of use owing to hostilities after September 1939,
until such time as the restrictions are agains relaxed, but it must be understood that this "Black-out" period be
added to the original contract period.." - Public Lighting #17, 1940
A selection of Time Switches and Gas Controllers are being exhibited including the G.F. which was
introduced just before the war and proved popular. Special mention is also given to the
Gas Controller which has been used for nearly fifty years. All types (upright or suspension)
can be supplied in gradual or quick action with quickly detachable clocks. - APLE Conference Programme 1945
Are showing off a wide range of Time Switches and Gas Controllers. Many models on show are used in great
numbers by some of the leading Public Lighting authorities. The G.F. model is of particular interest
and shows a robust 10 amp A.C. Switch with silver contact, suitable for a wide range of Public Lighting
schemes. It is one of the smallest switches on the market and is adaptable for
use either in lamp standard bases, watertight cases or for fitting to existing control
boxes. - APLE Conference Programme 1946
Gunfire Gas Controllers have now been in use for over 50 years and are still being supplied in
large number for home use and overseas. Gunfire Time Switches are also a product and the
range now produced specially for street lighting control, give an engineer a choice to meet
his urgent needs; the GS and GF models being of special interest to the Public Lighting Engineer.
The GF/1 model is described as 'new'. - APLE Conference Programme 1947
References:
APLE Exhibition Catalogue Blackpool 1932
APLE Conference Programme Folkestone 1937
APLE Conference Programme Bournemouth 1938
APLE Conference Programme Glasgow 1939
APLE Conference Programme Glasgow 1945
APLE Conference Programme London 1946
APLE Conference Programme Southport 1947
- External Links:
- Grace's Guide
|
