On 28 January 1807, London's Pall Mall became the first street in the world to be illuminated by gaslight, marking a transformative moment in urban development.
Spearheaded by German inventor Friedrich Albert Winsor, this innovation replaced the dim and unreliable oil lamps with a brighter, steadier glow, heralding a new era of nocturnal city life.
The flickering gas flames not only enhanced safety and visibility but also symbolised the march of progress during the Industrial Revolution.
As pedestrians marvelled at the newfound brilliance lining the thoroughfare, Pall Mall stood as a beacon of modernity, foreshadowing the widespread adoption of gas lighting across the world’s great cities.
