The Johannesburg Gas Works also known as Egoli Gas Works established in 1892, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant industrial sites in Johannesburg. Not only does it have intact machinery to show the production of gas but it also has structurally sound buildings which in their entirety show the process from how gas was produced out of coal up to how it was distributed to the public. Gas production is now extinct but the buildings remain as a reminder of what used to be on the site. The Gas tanks are a major landmark in Johannesburg and make their appearance in most portraits showing Johannesburg’s skyline. The Gas Works also have a rich workers history, which exemplifies the way in which workers were segregated during apartheid.
History
It was decided at the turn of the 20th century that Cottesloe site was the most suitable to establish the Gas Works. There was not only ample space for the site but at that time the site was also on the outskirts of the town. Statements made by the Consulting Engineer at that time indicated that they needed an obscure site where the Gas Works would be within reach of consumers but also be unimposing in terms of the structures. The Council was congratulated for finding a suitable area so well tucked away as to render the works largely invisible from the residential areas.
The gas tanks which are the most prominent features of any Gas Works, were to be of the ‘disappearing type’ that is only visible to the extent to which they are inflated and moreover they were to be placed upon the lower level of the site, which would be planted to almost completely screen the structures. The idea to make the gas tanks as inconspicuous as possible seems to have been abandoned later as the other three gas tanks were added and, though they were also, ‘of the disappearing kind’, they were much higher than the first two and were more visible from the road. The gas tanks have become part of the skyline of the city and, rather than be an eyesore as the city anticipated in 1927, they are now regarded as a heritage landmark.
Another reason why the Council decided to choose that particular site for the new Gas Works was that the area gently sloped. The Engineers thought this was advantageous as this could assist in the gravity flow of the various liquids that were involved in the gas making process. Construction on the site began sometime in 1926 and operation on 23 December 1928. The President Street Gas Works was shut down on the same day after 36 years of operation.
The 1940s and 50s were years of expansion for the Gas Works. The future for gas was bright as gas users had increased over the years. When the Gas Works started operating in 1929, statistics quoted at that time estimated that there were 1 265 consumers of gas. By 1949 there were as many as 15 000 consumers excluding the sub-consumers in apartments. While the domestic consumers outnumbered the industrial consumers, 300 industries were dependent on the Works for the bulk of their power. It was no wonder then that the Works expanded during this time. A number of buildings were erected including a second retort house as testament to the growing demand. Buildings were planned in 1942 and were completed and commissioned on 22 April 1943 and 8 April 1948 (for the retorts). A total of 78 retorts were under operation by 1948. Construction continued into the 50s with the carbureted water gas being completed in 1951.
One of the marketing strategies which they used at the time was branding. Mr Therm was introduced as the company’s mascot in the 1940s and still remains today. Mr Therm was introduced to the British public in 1933 as they were looking, ‘for a symbol to popularize the word ‘therm’ and the usage of gas’ (Gas Brochure 1949-50). From the time they introduced Mr Therm, he was present in every advertisement, poster, booklet and publicity material that was available. Mr Therm, ‘depicts a gas flame in the form of a bright young man with a halo around his head and with his legs and arms on fire.’(ibid) After he was introduced to the Johannesburg Gas Works, he was used extensively in booklets, brochures and other publicity material. He was also found on certain buildings such as the main office building.