Trans-scale & Transnational Study Of Gas Lighting : From Autonomous Units To Network Infrastructures, From The City To The Domestic Space, Governance, Resistance, France, Spain

• In Event: Infrastructure, Worlding and Knowledge

Abstract

The gaslight was introduced in Paris in the 1830s. Yet, an oil streetlantern was an autonomous unit, a self-sufficient light disposal, independent from the other sources of light of the same street, while a gas light became an extension of a more complex “machine”, a component of a large “system”, a “network” infrastructure that included the gas works and the pipe-systems network. What did this technical change – and the change of scale implied- mean in terms of possible cultural narratives and practices?

We will study the evolution of forms of streetlamps destructions in Paris and Barcelona, resulting in the “liberation” of gas and generating an outburst of flame and light, and therefore twisting the function of the rationalized and regulated gas flow. The second focus will be on the penetration of gas pipes in households and the narratives of integration or “invasion” associated.

This paper will address these questions by a socio-historical approach. The methodology is undoubtedly inspired by the ANT study of large technical systems (HUGUES, 1983) and a SCOT approach, by studying the meanings of the technological artefact « lantern » shared by different social groups and the processes of its judgment, familiarization and social integration, echoing works of Silverstone and Hirsch on domestication (1992).

The long-term issue is to benefit from this approach to contribute to our understanding of the expectations of the different public lighting actors (citizens, associations, companies, local and global authorities), the balance of power’s dynamics regarding the regulation and production of lighting technology as well as the values and imaginaries attached to the material objects.

Author

• BENJAMIN BOTHEREAU, EHESS CAK Centre Alexandre Koyré