Here's Arthur Arnold, AMIMecHE, [editor of 'The Power Engineer' (UK) ] writing in the mid 1920s :
"In the early days of electric lighting in houses, wooden casing and capping was the universal method of protection and support. So long as sufficient "ways" were used, and the surroundings were dry, joints were avoided and wires kept separated, the system was fairly satisfactory, although it obviously did not decrease the the fire risk of buildings in which it was used. When wires were "bunched" into the grooves, often as many as could be crammed therein, irrespective of polarity, and the casing was omitted at corners and under plaster and so forth, the system became positively dangerous. At the best of times there was a temptation to omit careful mitreing of the casing under floorboards, in cellars, and other semi-concealed positions, with the result that somewhat inadequately protected conductors were exposed to all kinds of atmospheric and other influences. Also, in any case, the erection of casing and capping called for a good deal of time and skill; given these it made a presentable job. In addition to being an electrician, the wireman had to be a carpenter. Considerable ingenuity was requisite where wires crossed and the "ways" approaching a distribution box made an imposing array of woodwork, if anything approaching the ideal of "one wire, one way" was to be achieved. Because the system lent itself to scamped erection and was not damp or vermin proof, it has practically disappeared for new work, its place being taken by steel conduit, or one of the special systems, of which there are now quite a number."
Well, it's practically the 'same' English used today, with some words now rarely used, plus grammatical changes; we tend to omit a comma before 'and' now.
Alan
edit typos
[This message has been edited by Alan Belson (edited 01-18-2006).]
