Cold lights

The exhibition „Cold Lights“ was set up on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the first public electricity in Iceland. The exhibition is located in the underpass under Lækjargata by Hamarskotslækur, which is a popular walking trail, the exhibition is therefore an informative and entertaining addition to the daily life of the people of Hafnarfjörður and others who pass by.

Jóhannes Reykdal was a great pioneer. He trained as a carpenter and built a carpentry factory by Hamarskotslækur. The carpenter’s workshop was equipped with state-of-the-art carpentry machines that were propelled by the energy of the stream from Hamarskotslækur. Shortly after, he embarked on the great task of electrifying the houses in Hafnarfjörður, it was 16 houses and four street lights that first received electricity in 1904.

The exhibition features a replica of Jóhannes’ carpentry factory, where you can see the main carpentry tools of the time. The exhibition is interactive in such a way that pedestrians can activate the exhibition by pulling a handle to set off a spinning water wheel with the purpose of symbolically turning on lights in the 16 houses that were first to receive electricity.