History of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Development in Hong Kong, Part One 1871-1931

HF: I am afraid I do not know the source of the following timeline. I would be grateful if someone comes across the origin and notifies me.

Further information about or images of any of the subjects or companies mentioned would also be very helpful. I have added supplementary information and sources on a number of subjects where I am able to do so.

Thanks to SCT for proofreading the following retyped version of the original script.

History of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Development in Hong Kong

1871 – The 1st British submarine telegraph cable laid into Hong Kong.

see gwulo.com 1871-72 The electric telegraph reaches Hong Kong

1882 – The 1st manual telephone exchange opened on Hong Kong Island.

see Milestones of Telecommunications in Hong Kong

1889 – The Hong Kong Electric Co., Ltd. (HEC) incorporated with authorized share capital of HK$300,000.

1890 – HEC Wanchai Power Station commissioned with installed capacity of 100kw.

1901 The China Light & Power Co., Ltd (CLP) incorporated with authorized share capital HK$200,000.

China Light & Power Company history

1903 CLP Chatham Road Power Station commissioned with installed capacity of 225 kw.

1930 – Telephone exchanges were replaced by an automatic system using Strowger electro-mechanical equipment.

Strowger switch telephone exchange

1931 – The first trunk cable was completed and telephone service to Canton opened.

This article was first posted on 22nd May 2023.

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