Switch Collection

WW2 poster, Switch off that Light! Less Light -- More Planes. Date: 1940s

In front and behind the scenes at the Coliseum, London
A great stage and a great curtain: in front and behind the scenes at the Coliseum, London. Top centre: a diagrammatic view of the revolving stage

Dead Mans Handle
A dead mans handle is a switch that is automatically operated in case the human operator becomes incapacitated. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Two men at the controls of a Sunderland flying boat
Two men (second fitter and rigger) at the controls of a Sunderland Mark I flying boat and bomber, used by RAF 230 Squadron during the Second World War. Date: circa 1938

Cheery Families - Miss Switch the Schoolmasters Daughter. 1890s

Cheery Families - Master Switch the Schoolmasters Son. 1890s

Cheery Families - Mrs Switch the Schoolmasters Wife. 1890s

Cheery Families - Mr Switch the Schoolmaster. 1890s

Advert, Gas Switch, The Pneumatic Gas Lighting Co Ltd
Advert for the Gas Switch, a pneumatic distance gas lighter, made by The Pneumatic Gas Lighting Co Ltd, Farringdon Street, London. 1909

Cunard Line, gilt brass and alabaster cabin lamp
CUNARD: Early 20th century gilt brass and alabaster cabin lamp similar to those seen on Aquitania. 13ins. Ex-Cobwebs, Southampton

Manchester housewife switches on the lights on Copenhagen's
A competition winner: Manchester housewife prepares to switch on the lights on Copenhagen's Christmas tree. Date: circa 1960

The Engineer, three bound volumes, 1910-1911
The Engineer, three bound volumes CXI from January to June 1910, July to December 1910 and January to June 1911, including in supplement Olympic launch, page 209 Olympic fitting-out

A Driver Climbing in to his Cab
A train driver climbs in to the cabin of a British Rail diesel locomotive. Photograph by Heinz Zinram Date: 1950s

Behind the scenes at the London Hippodrome
Mr Hawkins, the electrical engineer in the switch-room of the London Hippodrome, which was situated behind the stage and exclusively used for lighting that part of the building. 1904

Roanoid bakelite switch plates in dark red. Date: 1930s

Roanoid bakelite bell push and switch covers
Roanoid bakelite bell push in marbled green and switch covers in blue and silver. Date: 1930s

Front cover, The Electric Guide, 8th Edition
Front cover, The Electric Guide, 8th (Abridged) Edition, by Arthur L Golding. Date: circa 1930s

Early Motor Cars - diagram of first petrol-driven car
Early Motor Cars - diagram of the workings of the first petrol-driven car

Central telephone exchange 1903
The post office central telephone exchange, St. Pauls Churchyard, London, England. Date: 1903

Lamplighter
London characters: London is lit by gas lamps now, and every evening the LAMPLIGHTER must switch on every lamp in the metropolis, and every morning switch them off again. Date: circa 1870

The Dance of the Forty-One, Mexico -- a notorious society scandal uncovered by a police raid on a private residence on 17 November 1901, where a group of men were dancing

Light Switch 1940S
Remember to switch off lights last thing at night or when going out, saving energy and economising on household bills. Date: 1940s

A horse disgusted to find she is eating HUMAN
" Bad Stable Manners" - Eating with Ones Mouth Open! Dobbin disgusted to find out that instead of oats she has in fact been eating HUMAN

Edwardian boat interior, with table and chairs
View of the interior of an Edwardian boat. A table is set, but possibly more for drinking than eating, with a bottle and several glasses. There are three upright chairs with wicker seats

No 5 pressure switch, 1942 (c). Made by R M Limited, 1942 (c). Stamped: SWITCH No. 5 1 RM. Stamped on plate: LTD 2-53 CL. Associated with the Special Forces and Army Commandos

Dentists cabinet, Claudius Ash, Sons & Co Ltd. 1921

Ancient radio receiver. Brand Invicta

Telephone service in Madrid. Central office. Colored engraving, 1886

Telephone central office. Switching room and telephonists. Milan. Italy. Engraving. Coloured

Fire safety in the theatre -- a notice in a backstage area: Release for stage lantern, in case of fire pull down lever

Man taking a call in a fire station control room, May 1939. Date: 1939

Temporary points maintenance - Army - French strike of 1912
Strike on the Northern French Railways in 1912. Bridge at Briche, a control switch being operated by temporary railwaymen - the French Army! Date: 1912

Vacuum interrupter switch gear, c.1979 Date: circa 1979

LCC-LFB Defective paraffin heater, fire investigation
A photograph taken for evidence of a paraffin heater which started a fire due to a defective ON/OFF control knob that could not be switched off

Coin Switch Case
Title block for a trick in a Magic dealers trick catalogue Date: 1952

Two Men at Work
Two men working at a telephone switchboard desk in a factory. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Switch trench
A British soldier in a flooded, muddy switch trench. The purpose of a switch trench was to connect trench systems

A Brine Wave
The birth of the switch back and water chute idea - A man watches as his wife falls off a cliff into the sea on her deckchair

Travelling telephone in use on a express train
A travelling call office, a telephone in use on an American express train. The train ran from Salt Lake, Utah to the mining camp of Ely, Nevada

EARLSWOOD - 1918
The Switch-Back Earlswood Surrey

Women in Factory / 1971
Women working on a switch gear assembly line in slough

Switch Gear Assembly
Women working on a switch gear assembly line, Slough

Carl V / Hre / Titian / Selma
CARL V / KARL V Holy Roman Emperor, also King of Spain as Charles I, seen here with his dog

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