William George Armstrong

[Flosshilde]

We've just missed (well, by two years) the 200th anniversary of the birth of William George Armstrong, industrialist & arms manufacturer. His house, Cragside, was, if I remember correctly, the first domestic property to be lit by electricity, which was generated hydraulicly on the estate.

His company merged with the spledidly named Siddeley-Deasy company to form Armstrong-Siddely, manufacturers of luxury motor-cars & aircraft engines.

[mangerton]

Cragside House in Northumberland is now a NT property, and is well worth a visit. As you say, it was the first house to be lit by hydro-electricity. There are also a number of fascinating labour-saving devices in the kitchens.

Armstrong also formed companies with Whitworth (screw threads) to make railway locomotives and carriages, and Vickers which made aircraft.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Cragside House in Northumberland is now a NT property, and is well worth a visit.

- I was there last Summer: the gardens are worth seeing, too.