Description: Electric cable.

Caption: The cable was constructed in 1880 from a single strand of copper wire dipped in a wax coating and then wrapped in two strips of waxed cloth wound in a spiral. It was made in Kelvin's workshop at the University, from the conductors of old telegraph cables.

Introduction: This is a specimen of electric lighting cable from Lord Kelvin's lecture theatre which was in the Gilbert Scott Building of Glasgow University. It is now the University's Senate Room. Kelvin completely removed all the gas lighting and replaced it in February 1882.

Background: Kelvin's official residence at No. 11 Professor's Square was the first in the world to be entirely lit by carbon filament lamps. Kelvin wrote to his friend, William Ewart Gladstone, mentioning that he had wired his house 'from attic to cellar' and was on the point of lighting his laboratory, lecture room and house with Swan and Edison lamps.

Reference: Thomson, Sylvanus P.. "The Life of William Thomson, Baron Kelvin of Largs", 1910 pp. 777-781

Historical Context: Design of cable for an electric lighting circuit - Who: Thomson, William, Professor (1824-1907) Sir William Thomson from 1866 and Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs from 1892 better known as Lord Kelvin

Historical Context: Design of cable for an electric lighting circuit by Kelvin - When: 1881

Historical Context: Design of cable for an electric lighting circuit by Kelvin, University of Glasgow - Where: Glasgow, Scotland

Historical Context: Installation of cable in electric lighting circuit - Who: Thomson, William, Professor (1824-1907) Sir William Thomson from 1866 and Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs from 1892 better known as Lord Kelvin

Historical Context: Installation of cable in electric lighting circuit by Kelvin - When: 1881-1882 - Where: Natural Philosophy Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland

Historical Context: Manufacture of cable for an electric lighting circuit - Who: Thomson, William, Professor (1824-1907) Sir William Thomson from 1866 and Ist Baron Kelvin of Largs from 1892 better known as Lord Kelvin

Historical Context: Manufacture of cable for an electric lighting circuit by Kelvin - When: 1881

Historical Context: Manufacture of cable for an electric lighting circuit by Kelvin, University of Glasgow - Where: Glasgow, Scotland