Let there be light! Pall Mall’s illuminating role in the history books
In 1804, Frederick Winzer – later styled as Winsor – gave a demonstration of a gas lamp he had created at the Lyceum Theatre, just down the road from 116 Pall Mall. This lamp was revolutionary, and to show off his brilliant invention even further, and probably using the spoils of his burgeoning fame as an entrepreneur, Frederick bought himself a house on Pall Mall, and in January 1807 began to light the rooms using his gas lamps.
Going one further, and to celebrate King George III’s birthday on June 4 1807, Frederick illuminated the length of Pall Mall with gas, making it the first public street in the world to be lit up in this way. Not only did Frederick use his lamps to provide light – and safety – he also used it to entertain.
Clever Mr Winsor was able to use his lamps to project images onto the sides of the buildings up and down the street – something that has since be recreated on all sorts of structures across the capital (and the world) including the Houses of Parliament.
We’ve been continuing this tradition, in our own way, for many years, using slightly different technology to 215 years ago, but having just as much of an impact. To mark important milestones and cultural celebrations, 116 Pall Mall is illuminated in beautiful colours, and we’ve rounded up a few of these for you below:
Breast cancer awareness month
Diwali
Lunar New Year
Purple Tuesday for disability awareness
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EVENT SPACE FOR HIRE AT 116 PALL MALL
116 Pall Mall, a historic, Grade-1 listed Georgian masterpiece in the heart of London can be hired as a venue for any kind of event, from weddings to conferences, launch parties to fashion shows.
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