About The Oldest Manhole Street Cover In America
Hyatt's manhole covers were a significant contribution to the field of engineering
The word manhole was first used for access holes between the decks of the old, all-male, sailing ships. It had nothing to do with sewers. Today, manholes give access to underground gas, steam, electric, water, and telephone lines....as well as to sewers.
The oldest manhole street cover in America, established in 1845, is located in Brooklyn Heights, New York. There are two that are placed around the corner from each other and both date back to 1845. These manhole street covers with the "Hyatt" logo were designed by Thaddeus Hyatt. He was an American inventor and engineer who is best known for his work on manhole covers.
Hyatt patented a new design for manhole covers made of cast iron and had a distinctive raised pattern. The pattern was designed to make the covers more difficult to pry open, and it also helped to prevent them from slipping.
The Hyatt manhole covers were first installed in Brooklyn Heights in 1845, and they quickly became popular in other cities around the world. The covers are still in use today, and they are considered to be one of the most secure and durable types of manhole covers available.
Cylinders of glass were placed in the holes of the metal plate of the covers to allow light into an underground vault. They also protected from being damaged by the ring of metal studs surrounding each. Today, these same types of cylinders of glass (called vault lights) are used on sidewalks which are essentially skylights for below ground. The little glass pieces project sunlight down into subterranean spaces.
Hyatt's design for manhole covers was a major improvement over the previous designs, which were often made of wood or metal and were easily damaged. The Hyatt covers were also more resistant to corrosion, which made them last longer.
Hyatt's manhole covers were a significant contribution to the field of engineering, and they helped to improve the safety and security of underground infrastructure. The covers are a testament to Hyatt's ingenuity and engineering skills.
Today, there are hundreds of thousands of different types of manhole covers across NYC's five boroughs for both city owned and privately owned utilities, keeping a lid on their underground systems. Many of the new manhole covers are functional cast-iron covers that were made in India.
