October

The 150 Year History of Latvian Gas SuppliesContinued from page 291885The operation of the first gas engines started in Riga in late1870s. So, for example, in 1895 two gas engines rented to thefirm "Gustavs Kunncendorfs" were installed in Vērmane gardento power electric lighting. This application of engines became verypopular. They were useful for other purposes, as well: to powerwater, sewer and firefighting pumps, in woodworking, in glasscutting, in printing houses, in lithography techniques, in chocolateand tobacco factories and even for operating organs.1920-1940Coal gas was used intensively by households – the number ofconsumers in the individual sectors grows fast, while the coal gastariffs went down. The individual gas users were the key sector ofcoal gas consumption at the time. Particular attention was paid tothe popularization of gas use, the first target of which was to stir theinterest of the modern woman - an active member of the society, alady, who had to finish household chores quickly, conveniently andin accordance with the new requirements of hygiene. In early 1930s,the production of household gas appliances began in Latvia.1927The first individual contract on a relief of gas tariffs was signedwith the Joint Stock Company “L.W.Goegginger” (the factory“Laima”). This company is believed to have been the firstcorporate customer of the Riga gas factory.1939The infrastructure of coal gas supplies in Riga wascomprehensive – it served the municipal and individual, and thecommercial/industrial sector. The number of gas meters in thecity exceeded 13,000, and the streets of the city were illuminatedby 1,166 coal gas lanterns.30