Areas granted to the Electrical Light Supply Companies under the Electric Light Acts 1882 and 1888

Electricity revolutionised London from the mid-1870s. As well as providing bright lighting for streets and theatres, it also powered lifts and escalators. Allied to the improvements in building techniques, it made possible the creation of the first department stores, purpose-built large hotels and office buildings.  Initially electricity companies sprang up in an unplanned and haphazard way. This map depicts the districts for which they were responsible. Like most of the detailed maps of London used by the authorities of Victorian London, it was published by the reputable commercial firm of Edward Stanford and not by the official national mapping agency, Ordnance Survey.

6.7.3 Stanford’s Map of London shewing the areas granted to the electric light supply companies under the Electric Lighting Acts, 1882 & 1888. (London: E. Stanford 1890) Maps 3485 (98).