The Stobie pole was invented a century ago, and South Australia is celebrating this milestone.
On July 15, 1924, standard wooden power poles in South Australia were severely damaged by the hard and corrosive soil.
This led to the invention of the sandwich made of steel and concrete. Historian Dr. Kiera Lindsey explained, “This is a haven for white ants.”
“Those white ants would get into the timber and bore them out in the middle.”
Engineer Cyril Stobie brought in a new era of electricity distribution when he filed his ground-breaking design to the patent office, realising the need for a more durable solution.
Before the design was altered to include a wedged end that would enable it to endure the expanding and contracting soil, the first was built on South Terrace in December of that year.
Approximately 650,000 Stobie poles are currently distributed throughout South Australia.
Despite being marginally more costly than timber poles, they are still a wise investment due to their durability and dependability.
Andrews Bills, CEO of SA Power Networks, remarked, “I think it’s great we’re celebrating this, knowing the significance and the history associated with it.”
“Our network is the oldest in the nation. And these are the reason behind that.” Michael Stobie, Cyril’s son, claimed that his father would be “pretty chuffed” with reaching the milestone.
