ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Photocell History

Does anybody know when photocells came into common usage?? Subject came up when we were discussing a building that the guys said must be as old as I am (they really rub it in, those whippersnappers)

They were not a familiar thing in until the late 1960s in my part of the country.

This website seems to confirm a mid-1950s time frame for the invention: http://www.eskimo.com/~jrterry/photocontrols.html

Thanks, DSpark!
This is about the time frame I thought. I had to come in as a kid when the street lights went on, I can remember them coming on 1 by 1.
(although I'm not yet 50, these guys lay it on thick! Carriages, Flint & Steel lighting Gaslamps. All in fun)