Off center pendants in older houses

[J.C.E]

Afternoon

Always wondered why lol!!

In older houses- that havn't been rewired or converted into dl's etc- in the bedrooms appear to have the bedroom pendants off center towards the windows...

anyone know the reason lol

 

[ruston]

It was a 'modesty' thing , the theory being that anyone standing behind the light would not be seen clearly.

 

[Pete999]

Afternoon

Always wondered why lol!!

In older houses- that havn't been rewired or converted into dl's etc- in the bedrooms appear to have the bedroom pendants off center towards the windows...

anyone know the reason lol

So that the lights were in front of you and pervs couldn't watch you disrobe

 

[telectrix]

and i always thought that it was to keep the moths away from your pubes.

 

[rfears]

So that the lights were in front of you and pervs couldn't watch you disrobe

At first I thought that can't be right as that would light you even better than above- or back-light but then of course they had net curtains on the windows, which would tend to go opaque when lit.

 

[telectrix]

the idea was that you'd not be undressing standing between the light and the window, thus throwing a silhouette against the black-out curtains, thereby antaginising the ARP wardens.... " put that bloody light out, there's a war on, you know".

 

[andyb]

I always assumed it was so you didn't have to climb over the bed to change the bulb.

 

[telectrix]

I always assumed it was so you didn't have to climb over the bed to change the bulb.

flower bed? as you mention bulbs.

 

[Pete999]

At first I thought that can't be right as that would light you even better than above- or back-light but then of course they had net curtains on the windows, which would tend to go opaque when lit.

My Wife insists that the lights must be switched off when She undresses for bed, I proved it that with the light on and in a position off center, you can't be seen from outside. It's been that way for eons.

 

[telectrix]

and we should know, pete. we've both been around since the roman invasion.

 

[Pete999]

and we should know, pete. we've both been around since the roman invasion.

Trouble is though Tel, in the old days, it was a booger trying not to be seen lighting the gas mantel, when you went to bed.

 

[ruston]

Lol, I remember helping my Granny filling the paraffin lamps and priming the Tilly lamps.

 

[telectrix]

never bothered us. windows were always iced over on the inside. me da's idea of central heating was an overcoat on the bed.

 

[Pete999]

Lol, I remember helping my Granny filling the paraffin lamps and priming the Tilly lamps.

When I were a mere Lad, many moons ago when not everyone had the luxury of electrification, the firm I was apprenticed to, were contracted to add lighting and power to some OAPs accommodation.
Got a call back a few days later from the Warden saying the Old Lady in one of the flats couldn't get her lights to work, the Electrician and I went for a look, and found the bulb (sorry Lamp) all blackened, the old dear was trying to light the lamp with a match, thought it was a gas light. True Story.

 

[andyb]

flower bed? as you mention bulbs.

Light bulb Tel, although told at college and by others when younger that bulbs go in the ground, I stopped using the term lamp after so many blank looks from my customers.

As far as I'm concerned a light bulb goes into a lamp.

 

[telectrix]

i use the term bulb also, except with fluorescents. then i say tube.

 

[Nolnoc]

never bothered us. windows were always iced over on the inside. me da's idea of central heating was an overcoat on the bed.

Our parents must be related..

When I rewired my parents house I put the fittings in the centre of the room. My mam God rest her insisted I put them back in the right spot. I never had a clue until now why they were off centre.

 

[Pete999]

never bothered us. windows were always iced over on the inside. me da's idea of central heating was an overcoat on the bed.

I bet it was a booger cycling tHill to get tHovis as well, especially with them girt big hobnails on, youngsters today

 

[telectrix]

I bet it was a booger cycling tHill to get tHovis as well, especially with them girt big hobnails on, youngsters today

hovis? it were mouldy crusts out of next door's bin for us kids. it were tough up north in them days.

 

[7029 dave]

It was a 'modesty' thing , the theory being that anyone standing behind the light would not be seen clearly.

Yep, when rewiring was always asked to centralize the pendants, but as you say that was the theory behind it.