Electric Cable

Cotton covered electric cable, made by Connollys (Blackley) Ltd in Blackley, Manchester. Made between 1940 and 1950. Used by Massey Coldbeck Ltd. in the repair and rewinding of armatures used in electric motors relating to industry and transport. The red and white label on the side of the object reads "Regenerated cellulose covered wire - Connollys (Blackley) Ltd manchester.9."

This bobbin gives an insight into wire manufacturing and electric motor maintenance in Manchester during the mid-twentieth century.

Cable such as this was used around 1940 - 1960 to repair and rewind electric motors used in industry and shipping. Rewiring was often cheaper than buying a new motor. Wire like this was used until ceramic coated cables superseded it.

Connollys, a Manchester-based cable makers, have been supplying British Telecom with cables since 1909. Connollys were also one of the first members of the Cable Maker’s Association, and eventually became part of British Insulated Callender’s Cables or BICC, a conglomerate of cable makers with an international reach.