Becoming A City: Science & Technology

Electricity comes to the Workshops
As part of the Workshops expansion, a number of measures were taken to increase productivity. The most important was the introduction of electricity in 1903. There was no electricity supply in Ipswich at this time, so a Powerhouse was built at the Workshops.

The magic electric spark
A Queensland Times journalist was moved to near-poetry when he was given a preview of the new Powerhouse at the Workshops: Standing beside the motor, Mr. McCarty gave a rapid half-turn to the delicate switchboard, ending with a clink that made the sparks fly. There was a mighty rushing sound like the soughing of a great wind and quick as lightning, the inanimate machine to which the motor was attached awoke to action. With a burr and a rattle, it throbbed to the magic touch of the electric spark. [1]

Electric plants were installed in Ipswich including: Pommer's Butter Factory at The Terrace in 1904, Cribb and Foote in 1912 and the Commonwealth Hotel in 1914. Mines starting using electrical equipment and electric light from 1905 onwards.

In 1914, the first discussions about a public supply for Ipswich were held at a conference for all local authorities. World War I caused delays, but following Government approval in March 1917, a prospectus was issued offering shares in “The Ipswich Electric Supply Co Ltd”. The immediate objects of the company were to “supply Electric Light and Power to the City of Ipswich and the Shires of Bundamba, Brassall and Purga”.

The prospectus stated that the company had great possibilities because Ipswich City Council had agreed to use electric power for its proposed tramways and for improvements to its water supply. The tramways never eventuated, but the assessment of future potential was still accurate.

Power poles were erected in early 1919 and in September that year, the Queensland Times became the first business in Ipswich to install and run an electric motor from the new supply, using it to drive the paper's linotype and stereo plate equipment. The motor was purchased from Cribb and Foote who had added an electrical department and advertised that electricity would introduce "A new era for Ipswich." [2]