Museum of Science and Industry

Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti’s (1864-1930) notebooks feature sketches of electricity generation systems and gas turbines, which include tiny cartoon figures with hats, hinting at the creative and imaginative mind that produced them. The sketches include aspects of various early electricity distribution systems, including generators, cabling and tools.

Ferranti’s wife Gertrude Ruth Ince, and their seven children, often featured in his technical drawings. Elves and fairies also peek out from behind some of his sketches of generators and power stations.

The drawings are currently being exhibited in the Collections Centre at MOSI, and a slide show of the sketches will be shown in the Museum’s Loft restaurant from 24 May – 1 June. The exhibition is part of a week of family friendly activities at MOSI, including face painting, art workshops and games.

Jan Shearsmith, archivist at MOSI said: “We wanted to showcase Ferranti’s work during our May half term programme as all the events are connected to great ideas and innovations of Manchester people. Ferranti was such a prolific inventor, who really changed the way we live our lives today and his sketches give us a great opportunity to see how he developed his ideas. It’s clear that he had a great capacity for technical understanding of electrical engineering, but that he also had a great sense of humour. Please do come along next week and join in the fun. There will be lots of activities – and a chance to find out more about the people and inventions which made Manchester great.”

Ferranti was born in Liverpool. His Italian father was a photographer and his mother was a concert pianist. He demonstrated a remarkable natural talent for electrical engineering, inventing a street arc light when he was just 13 years old. Ferranti formed his own company in 1882 and in 1887 he became Chief engineer of the London Electricity Supply Company. He designed the building and electrical generating and distribution system for the new Deptford Power Station, which was the largest in the world when it opened in 1890. In 1896 his company moved to Hollinwood, Oldham, where it remained until 1993.

Ferranti was a strong advocate of alternating current (AC), as opposed to direct current (DC), which was mainly used at the time. AC could travel further with less energy loss, but was thought to be more dangerous. However, Ferranti put his theory to a potentially fatal test, when his engineers demonstrated that a chisel could be driven through the 10,000 volt Deptford power station cable, without harm. MOSI has the original chisel and cable.

Ferranti’s inventions and successful installation of AC systems contributed to the eventual triumph of the AC system, and later he campaigned for the development of the National Grid, which we use today.

By 1912 Ferranti’s Oldham-based company diversified into manufacture of electrical domestic appliances, and during the first world war they branched into the first of many defence contracts. Following Sebastian’s death, his son Vincent (1895-1980) became Chairman. The company manufactured defence and communications equipment, and in 1951 it produced the world’s first commercial computer – the Ferranti Mark I. In 1987 Ferranti merged with the International Signal and Control Group, to become the Ferranti International Signal. In 1993 the company went into receivership.

May Half Term activities are held at MOSI between 24 May - 1 June. The Ferranti archive exhibition continues until 28 June.

For media information or photos please contact Sarah Roe Tel: 0161 606 0176 m: 07847 372647.

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