Today, we consider the illumination of our homes as entirely natural. It is not a luxury or a service reserved to the wealthiest. The situation is the same with our essential household devices – cookers, refrigerators or heaters, which have become an integral part of our everyday life. However, the situation was entirely different a little over 200 years ago – this was when the first gas lamps were designed, the expansion of gas technology began and tallow lamps … were cast aside. People’s lives were becoming more comfortable and started to resemble the realities of our modern lifestyle. Initially, the new gas lighting technology was gaining as many supporters as its opponents.

It was also necessary to find a way to account for gas consumption. Here, the history makes a full circle, as the first gas meters provided gas on demand. Sound familiar? Of course. After all, this is how we use media in the 21st century – we listen to music and watch films. The 19th century was the golden age of gas lamps, wall lamps and chandeliers. With time, however, these had to give way to devices powered by new fuel – electricity.

Wojciech Kalfas, our expert from the Virtual Gas Museum and the curator of the Gasworks Museum in Paczków, will tell us everything about the advantages and disadvantages of gas light.