Portion of first underground cable laid in London, 1844

PART OF:
Section, of first London underground cable, on wood mount with a brass plaque, and two brass screws
Made:
1844 in London

Portion of first underground cable laid in London, unknown maker, London, England, 1844

This cable is presented on a wooden board with a commemorative plaque which reads 'Specimen of the FIRST PIECE OF UNDERGROUND WORK laid in the streets of LONDON. In the year 1844'. It contains nine copper wires of varying diameters. This type of cable was patented by William Cooke in 1840, and was intended for laying through tunnels or under bridges.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Object Number:
1923-239 Pt1
Materials:
copper (alloy), lead (metal) and rubber (unidentified)
Measurements:
overall (Pt1 and Pt2): 25 mm x 190 mm x 50 mm, .24 kg
type:
cable
credit:
Donated by the Institution of Electrical Engineers