Lighting Up The Rock: Great-Grandad and the Knob & Tube Era
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Welcome back to our journey through Vinland Solas's family history! Last time, we introduced the idea that our electrical roots run deep here in Newfoundland. Today, let's wind the clock back to meet the man who first picked up the pliers in our family: my great-grandfather.
Imagine Newfoundland in the early 20th century. Electricity is slowly starting to spread. No smartphones charging, no big-screen TVs humming – just the revolutionary promise of reliable light after dark. Great-Grandad was right in the thick of it. He wasn't just pulling wire; he was bringing genuine change to people's lives, home by home. He was a pioneer, a real go-getter in a time of massive transformation.
And what was the cutting-edge tech he was installing? The legendary knob and tube wiring.
For those who haven't had the… pleasure… of finding it in their walls, here’s the gist: Individual copper wires, often insulated with cloth or rubber, were run separately. Ceramic knobs were used to hold the wires securely away from wooden framing (to prevent fires, a very real concern!). When wires needed to pass through wooden joists or studs, ceramic tubes were inserted into drilled holes to provide protection.
Compared to lighting candles or oil lamps, this was incredible! It was state-of-the-art for its time. Great-Grandad, like many electricians of his day, probably installed it with immense pride, figuring he was setting up these homes with reliable power for generations to come. No grounds, no neat plastic sheathing like modern Romex, just single conductors charting their course through the structure.
He was working in an era with fewer established rules, relying on skill, common sense (hopefully!), and perhaps a more... direct approach to the trade than we use today. The focus was on getting the lights on, often under challenging conditions.
Next time: We’ll share a legendary family story about Great-Grandad’s “direct approach” – a shocking tale that perfectly illustrates just how different things were back then, and why modern safety standards are so crucial.