Formation of the National Electrical Contractors' Association (NECA), with Henry Bland as chairman. First practical version of a discharge lamp – a mercury vapour lamp – is developed by Peter Cooper Hewitt.
1902
NECA moves into offices in High Holborn, London. Boer War ends.
1903
Association defeats London County Council's plans for municipal installation work. First edition of Electrical Contractor magazine published. Suffragette movement begins to flourish in Britain.
1904
ECA is incorporated and granted a Board of Trade licence. Formation of the HVCA. Entente cordiale (friendly understanding) reached between Britain and France.
1905
ECA reaches agreement with Cable Makers Association for substantial discounts. Commercially available lamp filaments made from a cellulose solution extruded through dies and then carbonised offer about 1 per cent efficiency and 2 to 3 lumens per watt.
1906
Local system of registration introduced for electrical installers. Leo Hendrik Baekeland invents a synthetic resin that later becomes known as Bakelite. First Labour MPs returned in general election. Labour party formed.
1907
Rosing develops the theory of television.
1908
Local wages agreement between ECA and Electrical Trades Union in Manchester, covering such areas of contention as rates of pay, hours of work and overtime. The London branch of the ECA begins to guarantee the work its members are carrying out for the Corporation of London. First Ford Model T rolls off the production line (in any colour as long as it's black).
1909
Old age pensions introduced in Britain. Louis Bleriot becomes the first man to fly across the channel.
1910
Deaths of Florence Nightingale and Edward VII, coronation of George V.
1911
Coolidge introduces the ductile tungsten filament lamp, resulting in a much more durable and rugged lamp design.
1912
Scottish members form own association. The ECA Central Board becomes the Central Council. Guarantee of Work scheme introduced.
1913
Lamp life is increased by filling the evacuated bulb with an inert gas such as nitrogen to retard the rate of evaporation of the tungsten.
1914
Death of Joseph Swan. WW1 begins. Panama canal opens.
1915
William Rawlings, first president of the ECA, volunteers to become examiner for City & Guilds. Half-Watt lamp shown by Philips Lighting.
1916
Revision of constitution creates NECTA and NFEA alongside ECA.
1917
Britain announces support for Jewish state in Palestine.
1918
Association employs a professional secretary for the first time. Women over the age of 30 given the vote.
1919
Formation of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC). Founding of the Heavy Current Electric Accessories Company, later to become known as MK Electric.
1920
Philips develops prototype gas discharge lamp. Civil war in Ireland.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
