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Parkinson
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Parkinson
W. Parkinson & Co. Ltd.
Cottage Lane Works,
City Road,
London
WC1
England
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Parkinson (post 1945)
W. Parkinson & Co. Ltd.
Terminal House,
Grosvenor Gardens,
London,
SW1
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Parkinson & Cowan (1947 onwards)
Parkinson & Cowan (Gas Meters) Ltd.
Iron Lane
Stetchford
Birmingham
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In 1932, the firm were advertising a wide range of Gas Street lanterns (including square patterns),
Conversion Burners (with Nozzles arranged in Cluster and Alignment formations), and the
"Mor-lite" Patent Directional Refelctor. The latter was a simple and inexpensive device which
could be adapted for any burner. It comprised two highly polished "Staybrite" Steel Wings which
could be attached to the burner by an attachment or clip, thus allowing the wings to be adjusted
around both horizontal and vertical axis. "Danger" lamps and lamps with Parabolic Reflectors for
the illumination of Traffic Signs were also being advertised. - APLE Exhibition Catalogue 1932
The Maxill and Stetchford lamps were both displayed at the APLE's 1936
Conference in Cheltenham. The Maxill was given pride of place with a sectional
model displayed to illustrate the patented burner construction. - Public Lighting #3, 1936
The firm mention more than 120 years' service to the Gas Industry, therefore they were founded around 1818. They
were exhibiting their Maxill, Maxilla and Warwick lanterns along with
controllers and igniters supplied by the
Gas Meter Company and
Horstmann Gear Company.- Public Lighting #10, 1938 and APLE Conference Programme 1938
The new version of the Maxilla G is being exhibited along with the
Brimax Maxilla along with a new lamp called the Maxlume. - APLE Conference Programme 1939
One of several manufacturers who produced the Standard Gas Industry Fitting for converting gas lanterns to
comply with war-time starlight conditions. - Public Lighting #17, April 1940.
It is helped with certain modifications that Maxill and Maxilla lanterns will be available for
post-war street lighting. Their modern appearance and uniformity in design, coupled with their efficiency
and general effectiveness for the illumination of carriageways, should enable them to again enjoy pre-war popularity. - Public Lighting #44, 1944
Post war, the firm are concentrating on uniformity with their Maxill, Maxilla
and Maxillette ranges designed to preserve the uniform appearance associated with
uniform planning. It appears the lanterns have been redesigned and rationalised. The compactness of
these "new" units ensures their durabilty, the number of joints which require profing against
rain has been reduced to one, suspension lanterns are all fitted with a concealed safety
chain device, fixed nipples and constant pressure governors are included as standard,
control devices and reflectors can be easily removed for cleaning, and all components are
standard and many are interchangeable throughout the range of lanterns. Finally it
is suggested that Maxill is an abbreviation of Maximum Illumination.- APLE Conference Programme 1945
The post-war Maxilla range of Upright and Suspension Lanterns has been especially designed for
residential areas and roads for Group 'B' lighting (as per the MOT Final Report). They have a mounting height of
13-15 ft. and are a vast improvement on the pre-war Maxilla lanterns. Standard interchangeable parts have
been adopted where possible which has reduced the cost of manufacture and the number of components required as
spares. The Suspension Lanterns are all fitted with a concealed safety chain device. Fixed Nipples and
constant pressure governors are included as standard fittings. Street lighting effectiveness has been
enhanced by the adjustability of the faceted reflectors, which are constructed of aluminium anodised by an
improved process, permitting effective distribution of light for variations in the configuration of the
road, including bends, gardients and varying road widths. Rectangular sides replace the tapered in order to
facilitate easy replacement of five glass panes (sides and base), each being of equal size. The whole of the
burner assembly, from nipple to pre-heater, is the same for all sizes of pre-heaters from 2 to 6 light.
The standard venturi tubes and fixed nipple are controlled to the size required for the particular size of preheater.
The venturi maintains the 7-1 ratio whatever quantity of gas is passed. The Astragels are made as narrow
as possible, so that, with the frog sprays twisted to present the smallest surface to the path of light, shadows
have been reduced to a minimum. The hoods are stamped in one piece throughout, ensuring resistance to
weather and are constructed of copper. Neatly housed and concealed behind the facetted reflectors of the
Maxilla Lantern are the ignition device, clock controller and constant pressure governors. The reflectors
are supported by a tripod fitted to the venturi and permitting vertical adjustment. The control assembly can
be easily removed with Comet igniter, leaving interior of lantern free for cleaning. The fly-cap tighted
union at the base of the nipple holder permits this easy removal of the controls, faceted reflector and venturi
tube, the latter being "olived" at the top to make a gas-tight push fit connection within the burner supply tube. - APLE Conference Programme 1946
Started using the Parkinson & Cowan name in 1947. - APLE Conference Programme 1947
Exhibited the Maxilla lantern at the Southport APLE Conference. - APLE Conference Programme 1947
Maxilla lanterns conform in every particular with Ministry of Transport requirements, and are vastly
improved versions of the earlier Maxillia lanterns which, in pre-war years, were unequalled for
effective street lighting. One of the main features of the present range is the complete interchangeability of
standard parts, reducing stores and maintenance costs to a minimum whilst standardisation of design
enables both types of lantern to be incorporated in any lighting scheme. All Upright lantenrs include
3¼in. Frogs as a separate fitting, but these can be extended at will to produce the desired
mounting height of 15 feet by interchangeable dual purpose fittings. - APLE Conference Programme 1948
References:
APLE Exhibition Catalogue Blackpool 1932
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
APLE Conference Programme Eastbourne 1948
- External Links:
- Grace's Guide
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