Edward Smith Headquarters Switchboard - 1909

Item details


Name of item:	Edward Smith Headquarters Switchboard - 1909
Type of item:	Movable / Collection
Group/Collection:	Postal and Telecommunications
Category:	Other - Postal & Telecommunications
Primary address:	1 Museum Drive, Penrith, NSW 2750
Parish:	Castlereagh
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Penrith

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
1 Museum Drive	Penrith	Penrith	Castlereagh	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Fire and Rescue NSW	State Government

Statement of significance:


	The Edward Smith switchboard demonstrates the continual and progressive process of improving the Fire Brigade’s firefighting techniques, equipment and control, in order to cope with the new demands and challenges resulting from a growing and developing City of Sydney. With the growth of the city, came a need for a better co-ordinated and more efficient means of communication – both in terms of communicating a call of fire to the Brigade through automatic and street alarm systems, and in terms of communication between the various Fire Stations. The Edward Smith switchboard was a response to that need.The switchboard also demonstrates the multi-skills of the firemen. It was considered by the Brigade to be beneficial for a fireman to spend a part of his career at the workshops, where he would attain a more comprehensive knowledge of fire appliances, which would make him more useful to the Brigade. Edward Smith was one of those firemen who took advantage of the opportunity. Edward Smith’s switchboard is demonstrative of the technical innovation and skills of the Fire Brigade workshops during the late nineteenth century and early to mid twentieth century. During these times the brigade was operating under a system, which leaned toward “self sufficiency”, whereby it was heavily reliant upon its own tradesmen to supply its needs such as uniforms, motor mechanical work, plumbing, carpentry, farriery and electrical work.Highly esteemed by fire brigade enthusiasts, the switchboard is representative in terms of the skills of the brigade workshops, but both unique and outstanding in terms of its size, complexity and designer/builder. Other switchboards of the time were more of a standard and rudimentary design, constructed by the workshops.Although some modifications have taken place during its history, those modifications are, in fact, a part of its story and do not diminish the essential character and significance of the switchboard.
	Date significance updated: 08 Oct 04
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Edward Smith
Builder/Maker:	Edward Smith
Construction years:	1909-1909
Physical description:	The Edward Smith Switchboard is constructed from Colonial Rosewood, Ceder and Tasmanian Blackwood. It is, in appearance, aesthetically pleasing and incorporates, not only switches for the responding of the various Headquarters fire engines and ladders, but also over 200 shutters for the reception of automated fire alarms, street alarms and telephone calls. Located toward the centre of the switchboard are two lamps, whilst two clocks are located to the far right and left. Amongst the fours leaf clovers carved into the woodwork of the swithcboard, is one five leaf clover.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Physical Condition - Excellent ; Archaeological Potential - Low
	Date condition updated:01 Jul 04
Modifications and dates:	Some modifications to the alarm panels and circuitry. Dates unknown.


Current use:	Storage / Exhibition
Former use:	Fire Brigade Communications

History

Historical notes:

The Headquarters switchboard was built and designed by Edward Smith. Edward Smith was born in the Shetland Islands on 16th September, 1863 and joined the Metropolitan Fire Brigade on 7th May 1891, his previous occupation being that of "seaman". Having served at Headquarters, George Street North, George Street West and Paddington, he was appointed Station Officer on 26th September, 1902.

Firemen were encouraged to spend some part of their career at the workshops, as it was seen as an opportunity to "...possess special knowledge of fire appliances..." In a circular dated 13/9/1906, Superintendent Alfred Webb stated: - "A member of the Brigade who attends the Workshops, has more facilities for learning the business of a fireman than one who does not attend. He sees a number of engines taken to pieces and helps in the work, or he is capable of performing special work in connection with telephones which is useful to the Brigade generally." On 1st January, 1905, Edward became the Brigade’s principal electrician.

Edward Smith was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 7th May, 1906. These medals were inaugurated on 1/1/1903 and were issued on the completion of fifteen years service with good conduct. On 8th February 1909, Edward received a gratuity of £25 from the Fire Brigade Board "...in connection with the designing and erection, and electrical connections, of new telephone switchboard " (In Orders 8/9/1909). It was the practice of the Brigade to "...offer a gratuity to every member of the Brigade who may invent an appliance or improvement in the service." (In Orders - 31/1/1905). After receiving the King’s Police Medal in 1925, he retired on 16th November, 1928 and died two years later in 1930. (Colin Adrian - Fighting Fire 1984:63; Personnel Record Books Vol A, 1884-1900:79)

Replacing an earlier rudimentary switchboard, the Edward Smith switchboard was installed in 1909 at Headquarters watchroom and remained in service for the next sixty years. Constructed of Colonial Rosewood, Ceder and Tasmanian Blackwood, it served not only as a telephone switchboard, but also as a Relay Cabinet for Grinnell, May-Oatway and Kirkby Thermostatic fire alarms, as well as Telephone Fire Alarms. Sydney was the first city in the world to install telephone fire alarms. "The alarms, connected to the 200-shutter exchange at Headquarters, were operable by keys given to the police, public bodies and nearby residents, or by breaking a small glass panel." (Colin Adrian - Fighting Fire 1984:59). The switchboard was also the means of responding Headquarters' fire engines by use of illuminating signs within the station as well as station bell operation.

Many believe that a five-leaf clover carved among the other four leaf clovers, which adorn the switchboard, was a mistake. It was used over the years as a test of the observational powers of new recruits.

Withdrawn from service in 1969, the Edward Smith Switchboard remained at Headquarters (still operational) as a standby facility, until it was presented to the Fire Service Museum in 1979. In 1985, Mr Smith’s switchboard was presented to the Museum of Fire, where it is now on display in a watchroom setting.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Communication-Activities relating to the creation and conveyance of information	(none)-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The Edward Smith Switchboard demonstrates the progressive process of improving the Brigade’s firefighting techniques, equipment and control in order to cope with the new demands and challenges resulting from a growing and developing City of Sydney. The development of firefighting support technology is an ongoing process, which continues today and this apparatus, which served the city for sixty years, has been an important part of that process. Having the capability to multi-function as a switchboard, receive fire calls from automatic fire alarms and street fire alarms, and to respond the Headquarters fire crews, it was a significant step forward from the rudimentary switchboard, which preceded it.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The Edward Smith switchboard has an association with William McNiven. In Orders, dated 8/2/1909, mention Mr McNiven as having rendered "valuable assistance" in "...bringing the work to successful completion." He was awarded a gratuity of £5 for his contribution. At the time, Mr McNiven was a first class fireman, and carpenter. However, he went on to become Clerk of Works in 1916, and Officer in Charge of Construction in 1918. He became the Brigade’s first Architect in 1923, going on to design several Fire Stations for the brigade before his retirement in 1931. His initial design was Dee Why station. From 1923 -1928 most new stations and quarters were his designs.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Edward Smith Switchboard demonstrates the multi-skills of the Fire Brigade workshops during the late nineteenth century and early to mid twentieth century. During these times the brigade was operating under the old Victorian system, whereby it was heavily reliant upon its own tradesmen for its needs such as uniforms, motor mechanical work, plumbing, carpentry, farriery and electrical work, etc. It demonstrates the technical innovation of Brigade Principal Electrician, Edward Smith, as a designer, carpenter and electrician, the switchboard being designed and constructed by him, according to the specific needs of the Metropolitan Brigade in 1909. Constructed from Colonial Rosewood, Ceder and Tasmanian Blackwood it is, in appearance, aesthetically pleasing. Constructed from Colonial Rosewood, Ceder and Tasmanian Blackwood it is, in appearance, aesthetically pleasing.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	This item is held in high esteem by fire brigade enthusiasts. This is evidenced by its preservation and display in a simulated watchroom setting at the Museum of Fire, Penrith.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	N/A
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	The switchboard is a unique item. It is the only switchboard of its size and complexity, designed and erected according to the brigade’s needs at the time, by Edward Smith, Principle Electrician of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade from 1905 till 1928. Other switchboards were of a more standardised and rudimentary nature, built by the brigade workshops.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The switchboard is representative of the work of the Metropolitan Brigade tradesmen during an era when the brigade was operating under the Victorian system of self-reliance upon it own tradesmen. The brigade, during this time, was heavily reliant upon its workshop tradesmen for the production of such things as uniforms, mechanical work, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry etc.
Integrity/Intactness:	It is evident from photographs of the switchboard that, throughout its sixty years of service, there has been some modification to the alarm panels and circuitry. However, this introduced fabric is a relatively minor addition to the original, and is an integral part of the history of the switchboard. As such, this introduced fabric should not be considered intrusive, since it does not alter the essential character and significance of the switchboard.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:


	The swichboard is on display at the Museum of Fire, Penrith with the permission of the NSW Fire Brigades.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register			01 Jul 04

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written
Written
Written

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	State Government
Database number:	4690170

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