TY  -  JOUR
TI  -  Visualising electricity demand: use and users of a 3D chart from the 1950s
  AU -Alice Cliff
AU -Jenny Rinkinen
PY  -  2018
VL  - Special Issue: The Material Culture of Energy
IS  - Spring 2018
KW - data visualisation
KW - electricity demand
KW - electricity supply
KW - load curve
KW - load model
KW - Manchester
KW - material culture studies
KW - object analysis

AB - Showing electricity demand by the hour, day, month and year, this 3D chart offers a rich visualisation of energy data in the UK from the years 1951–54. Acquired by the Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester, the object is significant as a tangible record of past practice, both of the electricity supply industry and its consumers. In this paper, we offer a close inspection of the object, and following its clues, we generate ideas about the chart’s use and users. In addition to commenting on the rhythmic patterning of daily and seasonal loads, we reflect on the role of the object at the time of its construction, in terms of forecasting, price-setting and load-shifting, and lobbying and demonstration. The object literally materialises electricity demand, providing a distinctive 3D representation, and in so doing prompting questions about how demand changes over time, and in time, and how our practices of everyday life constitute this demand. We conclude by offering a new interpretation of the object as a tool, as well as historical data.

PB - The Science Museum Group
 
SN -  2054-5770
LA -  eng
DO -  10.15180/180905
UR -  https://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/visualising-electricity-demand/
T2 -  Science Museum Group Journal