Title
Lucas and Pyke collection
Reference
UK0108 NAEST 019
Date
1892, 1920-1935, 1950
Creator
Scope and Content
Watercolour drawings of electrical light fittings, relating to contracts with various companies for mechanical and electrical services in their buildings; plans for switchboards controlling theatre lighting; plans of electrical services to Bethnal Green Infirmary; photograph of photomontage of members of the IEE in 1892; drawings of electrical clocks, light fittings and fires also relating to contracts.
A drawing from NAEST 019/77-83 was used for the front of the 2002 IEE Christmas card.
Exent
40 watercolour drawings, 18 rolls of draughtsmen's plans, 1 photograph,
Language
English.
Admin. history/Biography
This firm of consulting engineers was formed in the latter part of the nineteenth century by Mr Leslie Pyke and Mr Owen Lucas. Up to 1914 it was known as Owen Lucas and Pyke. In that year Mr Owen Lucas left to become a Director of Vickers. The firm then became known as Lucas and Pyke.
Prior to the First World War, the firm's work was mainly concerned with the design of mechanical and electrical services for many of the famous houses in Great Britain and for a number of well known theatres in London and the provinces.
In the inter war years, the scope of the practice became wider whilst still acting for many of the pre-war clients and continuing to design mechanical and electrical services for further great houses in Great Britain and France. The increased activities embraced Barclays Bank Ltd's HQ, then the largest electrical thermal storage central heating plant in Europe, the French and Egyptian Embassies, the late Duke of Westminster's famous four-masted schooner 'Flying Cloud', various luxurious office blocks in the City of London, homes for the blind and for old people, and some hotels.
Since the Second World War, the practice has covered a wider range of engineering services, covering mechanical and electrical engineering services for buildings including air conditioning, heating and ventilation, water services and drainage, stand-by and base load generators and heat recovery systems, electrical distribution systems and lighting, fire-fighting and fire detection systems, lightning protection systems, insurance and maintenance advisory services, and passenger and goods lifts of both electric and hydraulic types.
The firm has also undertaken the installation of electricity and steam generating plant for factories, colleges and institutions, and the installation of plant associated with sewage and water works, and sea water distillation schemes, and video security systems for clients such as 3M, Airscrew-Weyroc Ltd, United Biscuits Ltd, University Colleges of Wales, North Thames Gas Board, Alliance Building Society, local authorities and the halls of some City of London livery companies.
Persons keyword
Subject
Conditions governing access
Open
Level of description
sub-fonds
