Electrification of Department Stores in Paris (On the 175th Anniversary Since the Birth of P.N. Yablochkov)

Abstract

The article describes the work of P.N. Yablochkov on the electrification of department stores in Paris. Before Yablochkov, department stores were illuminated with gas lamps, which were dangerous in terms of fire, distorted the colors of goods, and were harmful to health. The electric arc lamps existing at that time were difficult and expensive to operate, and had rather poor light quality. P.N. Yablochkov achieved outstanding results by bringing the color spectrum of his lamps closer to the solar one. The first project the Russian inventor implemented after he developed an arc candle was the lighting of the "Big Shops of the Louvre". Following this project, many large supermarkets in Paris began to install Yablochkov candles. Successful electrification of such significant social facilities contributed to the widespread use of electric lighting. The low cost and ease of maintenance allowed the Yablochkov system to successfully compete in the subsequent with incandescent lamps and other arc light sources. The article pays attention to the quality of Yablochkov's light. A significant contribution to the spread of the Yablochkov system was made by the outstanding French engineer and entrepreneur Louis Deneyrouz.