Tungsten-filament Lightbulbs with significant and radical improvements were made available to the public in 1912. These were quickly replacing the former carbon-filament ones for domestic, industrial and most other applications. Owing to their much higher efficiency, whiter light and longer life, savings were beginning to accumulate in Hingham's street lighting and replacement costs. The town's six carbon arc lights, approximately ten years old, were requiring much more ongoing maintenance, so upgraded fixtures were installed. Shown is one of the Light Plant's maintenance staff getting ready to replace one of the old lights. In addition to their economic advantages, the tungsten ones provided a much more even and steadier light than the former arc lights.

Of further interest...Transformer upgrades continued as they had been since the Light Plant began operation in 1894. Much energy loss was taking place with the older units. By the end of 1912, the amount of electricity recorded at customers' meters was 73 percent of kilowatt hours purchased...or line losses of 27 percent. The transformer program was a continual and gradual project in reducing the town's electric rate and maximizing its overall efficiency. Like other upgrades and improvements this utility pursued, most power companies, public and privately owned ones throughout Massachusetts, were doing the same and were meeting similar challenges while they were in their formative years.