Museum of Science and Industry

A nineteenth century gasworks retort, a gasolier and a 1950s cooker are amongst hundreds of collection items which have been spruced up as part of the gas gallery improvements at MOSI.

The Museum’s Gas Gallery is Britain’s largest gallery showcasing the history of gas production and use, and includes objects from the eighteenth century through to the present day. From the coal fired retort house to the north sea Intelligent Pig pipeline machine, the gallery demonstrates the importance of manufactured and later natural gas in lighting, heating, industry and the home.

Key objects have been cleaned and improved lighting is giving a fresh sparkle. The gallery is now open to visitors as usual. Energy curator John Beckerson at MOSI said: “MOSI has the best gas gallery in the country. Gas was once the main source of power and transformed peoples’ lives in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Gas lamps, for example, provided much-needed light in growing cities which helped to reduce crime levels. Now it has had a spring clean please do take this opportunity come along and take a look at some of these fascinating objects again.”

Until the arrival of natural gas in the 1960s gas was produced in retort houses, where coal was baked in a furnace in a closed tube or ‘retort’. In the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth century manufactured gas was widely used in lighting, industry and in numerous domestic appliances, such as hair dryers, washing machines, heaters and cookers. Later electricity became the main source of power for domestic appliances.  Today, gas fired power stations make 45% of our electricity and gas is a hugely important energy source for the UK.  With a visit to MOSI you can discover its fascinating history.

Find out more at /explore-mosi/energy  

For media enquiries please contact: Sarah Roe, MOSI press and publicity officer on Tel: 0161 606 0176, m: 07847 372647

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