The Shoebox

Meet Us Half-Way (c. early–1920s) These shots depict the workers...

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:56:48 -0400

Meet Us Half-Way (c. early–1920s)

These shots depict the workers who built the Ayers Island Hydro Station in Bristol, NH. Ayers Island went online in 1924, so these photos were probably taken around 1922 or so. It’s interesting to see “inside” the 80-foot dam at what looks like a cross-section.

Ayers Island is PSNH’s northernmost hydro station in the Merrimack River Basin, and also the highest dam on the river. You might know it as the home of PSNH’s popular Osprey Cam.

Here’s a similar shot of Eastman Falls in Franklin.

Magnetic Tape Drive (1982) This employee is using a magnetic...

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:59:04 -0400

Magnetic Tape Drive (1982)

This employee is using a magnetic tape drive that appears to be an IBM 3420.

The 3420 used a 9 track tape, which apparently played a role in setting the standard size of a byte. From Wikipedia:

The IBM System/360, released in 1964, introduced what is now generally known as 9 track tape. As with the earlier IBM 7 track format it replaced, the magnetic tape is ½ inch (12.7 mm) wide, but has 8 data tracks and one parity track for a total of 9 parallel tracks. Data is stored as 8-bit characters, spanning the full width of the tape (including the parity bit) … The standard size of a byte was effectively set at 8 bits with the S/360 and 9 track tape.

[…]

To load a tape, an operator would remove the protective ring (frequently called a “tape seal belt” because its purpose was to prevent humidity and dust on the media) from the outside of the tape reel and install the tape on the supply hub, then thread the tape leader through the various roller assemblies and onto the take-up reel, installing three or four winds of tape to provide enough friction for the take-up motor to be able to pull the tape. The operator then initiated an automatic sequence, often by a single press of a button, that would start the vacuum system, then move the tape forward until the beginning-of-tape (BOT) foil strip was detected by an optical sensor in the tape path. The control electronics would then indicate to the controlling computer that the unit was ready for operation.

Nowadays (1925) There’s so many things you can do with...

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:29:52 -0400

Nowadays (1925)

There’s so many things you can do with electricity! These ladies are at an early home show for the Manchester Traction, Light and Power Co.

Thank You!

Speaking of Manchester, we’re proud to say that the Manchester Historic Association honored PSNH with a Leadership & Advocacy Award at its 2013 Historic Preservation Awards dinner. We’re excited to be among so many wonderful honorees.

The Shoebox Turns One!

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:23:51 -0400

The Shoebox Turns One!:

One year ago this week, we publicly launched The Shoebox, our historic photos blog. Since then, we’ve posted more than 60 photos from every decade of the 87 years that PSNH has served New Hampshire. Thousands of people have visited the website, and we’ve received many positive comments.

Snack Time (1968) These youngsters are taking a break while...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:17:00 -0400

Snack Time (1968)

These youngsters are taking a break while touring Merrimack Station in Bow.

Constructing Canaan’s Penstock (1926–27) It’s...

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:04:27 -0400

Constructing Canaan’s Penstock (1926–27)

It’s 2-for-1 Day at The Shoebox! These photos show the construction of Canaan Hydro Station’s original wood stave penstock. The serpentine penstock is a large tube that takes water from the Connecticut River and brings it to the turbine, where electricity is generated (1.1 MW). According to friend-of-the-blog Bob Gundersen, this wooden penstock was used up until 2009 when it was replaced with one made of steel.

Hold on John (1952) Two employees working on the substation at...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:34:46 -0400

Hold on John (1952)

Two employees working on the substation at Garvins Falls Hydro, which is located in Bow on the Merrimack River.

Ghosts of ’Lectricity (1918) Manchester Traction, Light and...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:46:29 -0400

Ghosts of ’Lectricity (1918)

Manchester Traction, Light and Power Co. employees testing equipment at the Brook Street substation in Manchester. This photo was taken on June 25, 1918. Eight years later, MTL&P and four other companies would join together to form Public Service of New Hampshire.

How Cold? Ice Cold. (1940) A Diver named Tilton works on a 33kV...

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:44:01 -0500

How Cold? Ice Cold. (1940)

A Diver named Tilton works on a 33kV cable in the chilly water at the Amoskeag canal. Photo taken February 28, 1940.

Ice Breaking Over Amoskeag (1936) PSNH purchased Amoskeag...

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:26:00 -0500

Ice Breaking Over Amoskeag (1936)

PSNH purchased Amoskeag Station in 1936, the year this photo was taken. The hydro dam, built in 1924, is located on the Merrimack River in Manchester’s Millyard.

See this same scene, taken just a few years ago, on PSNH’s Flickr page.

2013-03-04: Updated with Flickr photo. Thanks to Bob Gundersen.

Building the Vernon Line (1911) From the back of the...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:00:36 -0500

Building the Vernon Line (1911)

From the back of the photo:

Construction of Vernon Line just north of present Winchester substation. Picture taken Nov. 6, 1911.

Tall pole line is original 6600 V 10 line from Keene to Winchester, built around 1910.

High Above the Snowy Ground (c. Early 1980s)

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:55:10 -0500

High Above the Snowy Ground (c. Early 1980s)

In Deep (unknown date)

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:31:07 -0500

In Deep (unknown date)

Snow Day (unknown date)

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:31:46 -0500

Snow Day (unknown date)

It’s Not the Years, It’s the Mileage (unknown...

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:14:55 -0500

It’s Not the Years, It’s the Mileage (unknown date)

A collection of Service Awards for various years.

Bring Your A-Frame (c. 1950s) Prior to truck-mounted augers,...

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:36:16 -0500

Bring Your A-Frame (c. 1950s)

Prior to truck-mounted augers, utility poles were dug by hand. The crew would then use an A-Frame Digger truck to help raise and set the pole. This photo was taken at PSNH’s Automotive Maintenance Center in Manchester’s millyard.

December Peak (1960) John Salo (right) presents Leslie Wilson...

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:41:27 -0500

December Peak (1960)

John Salo (right) presents Leslie Wilson with a merit award for correctly forecasting that 326.3 MWh (exactly) would be the peak power load for December 1959.

For comparison, PSNH’s Peak Power Demand for December 2012 was 1,650.31 MWh (12/17/12, hour ending 1900).

The PSNH Peak Power Demand is a measurement of the average demand for energy over an hourly period for all of PSNH’s customers, as well as customers of other New Hampshire utilities connected to PSNH’s system.

Note: Photo taken in January 1960.

Reddy for Christmas (1966) It’s no Little Saint Nick, but...

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:36:00 -0500

Reddy for Christmas (1966)

It’s no Little Saint Nick, but this bucket truck was just the ticket for Reddy Kilowatt as he greeted onlookers at Dover’s 1966 Christmas Parade. Working foreman Ernie Lane is taking Rudolph’s place in the driver’s seat.

Window Shopping (1931) Was a Hotpoint “modern maid”...

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:03:44 -0500

Window Shopping (1931)

Was a Hotpoint “modern maid” oven “what mother really wanted” under the tree? This was taken outside of a PSNH electric appliance showroom (likely on Elm Street in Manchester) during the 1931 holiday season.

Inspecting Lines (1973) A PSNH engineer inspects electrical...

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:48:00 -0500

Inspecting Lines (1973)

A PSNH engineer inspects electrical lines after a snow storm.