Page "Godalming" Paragraph 13
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Godalming came to world attention in September 1881, when it became the first town in the world to have installed a public electricity supply, which made electricity available to consumers.
It was Calder & Barnet who installed a Siemens AC Alternator and dynamo which were powered by a waterwheel, located at Westbrook Mill, on the river Wey.
There were a number of supply cables that fed seven arc lights and 34 Swan incandescent lights, some of which were laid in the gutters.
But later on in 1884 the whole town reverted to gas lighting as Siemens failed to tender for a contract to light the town.
This was due to a survey they undertook in the town that failed to provide adequate support to make the business viable.
Siemens had also lost money on the scheme in the early years, but was prepared to stay on in order to gain experience.
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