Duquesne Light Photograph Collection 1927-1942
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- Duquesne Light Photograph Collection
- Creator
- Tyrrell, Patrick J.
- Collection Number
- AIS.2012.05
- Extent
- 13 boxes
- Date
- 1929-1942
- Abstract
- The Duquesne Light Photograph Collection contains approximately 2,255 negatives, the majority of which are 5×7 inch cellulose nitrate negatives. The photographs feature electrical stations, employees, and their families, company outings as well Pittsburgh scenes, including several views of Pittsburgh floods, the 1929 Light's Golden Jubilee honoring the anniversary of Edison's incandescent light bulb, the Cathedral of Learning, and McKees Rocks.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Biography
All of the photographs in this collection were taken by Patrick Joseph (P.J.) Tyrrell, who was born in Ireland on April 5, 1878. He attended the University of Dublin where he studied electrical engineering. Tyrell moved to Pittsburgh in 1900 and began his career with Duquesne Light in 1904 with the opening of the Brunot Island Power Station. He worked for Duquesne Light Company for 39 years. Living most of his Pittsburgh-area life in McKee's Rocks, Tyrrell died on November 3, 1943.
History
George Westinghouse established Westinghouse Electric Company in 1886 and founded Pittsburgh's first commercial lighting firm, Allegheny County Light Company, in 1888 after acquiring many of the patents to Nicola Tesla's alternating current designs. Westinghouse then hired Tesla as a consultant. In addition to the battle over the better power generating method (alternating current vs. direct current), the existence of numerous small and large power companies provided stiff competition in the power generation business. By 1894, between six and eight power companies existed in Pittsburgh. The most prominent companies were Allegheny County Light Company and East End Electric Company. Even though Allegheny County Light Company was responsible for installing the first street lights in Pittsburgh, East End Electric was responsible for the takeover of many of the other smaller Pittsburgh electric companies. By 1897, the Philadelphia Company had worked its way to Pittsburgh and by 1898 became the holding company for the Allegheny County Light Company.
The Duquesne Light Company was formed by merger with the Allegheny County Light Company in 1912, still held by the Philadelphia Company. As of 1926 it was the tenth largest electric service company in the United States. In 1930, the J.H. Reed power station opened which greatly increased the generating capacity of the company. In 1957, Duquesne Light developed and opened the world's first full scale nuclear power station. Community has always been important to the company, and the traditions of picnics and sports shown in these pictures carried on for many years. Today, Duquesne Light serves roughly 588,000 people in Beaver and Allegheny Counties.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Daniel A. Fisher.
Scope and Content Notes
Photographs in this collection were primarily taken at the J.H. Reed and Brunot Island Power Stations both located on Brunot Island on the Ohio River. Many images depict the construction of the J.H. Reed power distribution plant and associated electrical equipment. Other images in the collection feature employees and their families enjoying various activities including company baseball games and picnics. Tyrrell also photographed various Pittsburgh views such as the construction of the Cathedral of Learning, downtown Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh floods, the 1929 Light's Golden Jubilee honoring the anniversary of Edison's incandescent light bulb, the Cathedral of Learning, and McKees Rocks, where Tyrrell lived.
Arrangement
Photographs maintain the photographer's mostly chronological arrangement and original numbering scheme with some grouped by subject.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Preferred Citation
Duquesne Light Photograph Collection, AIS.2012.05, 1929-1942, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Duquesne Light Photograph Collection, AIS.2012.05, 1929-1942, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Subjects
- Duquesne Light Company
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Brunot Island (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- McKees Rocks (Pa.)
- Photographs
- Acetate negatives
- Nitrate negatives
- Coal-fired power plants
- Business and Industry