Street lights are often taken for granted until a power outage plunges the world into darkness. When that happens, the value of these lighting installations becomes evident as the world turns into a more dangerous place for pedestrians and motorists alike.
The Chinese could claim to be the first to have constructed a crude type of street light. Around 500 BC, residents of Beijing employed a type of street lamp that used hollow bamboo pipes and natural gas vents to create burning torches. Later, ancient Romans adopted lamps fueled by vegetable oil, which relied on slaves to light and extinguish them as needed.
The first public street lighting campaign began in 1417, when the mayor of London issued an order to hang lanterns outside homes during the winter months. This early initiative to illuminate the streets marked the beginning of organized public street lighting, a concept that would transform cities across the world.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
人們時常將街燈視為理所當然，直到停電使世界驟暗為止。當此事發生時，這些燈具裝置的價值便顯而易見，因為對行人和駕駛人來說，世界變得更加危險。
中國人聲稱他們是第一個建造簡陋版街燈的人。西元前500年左右，北京居民採用的街燈使用了空心竹管和天然排氣孔來產生燃燒的火炬。後來，古羅馬人採用了以植物油為燃料的燈，並依賴奴隸來根據需求點燃和熄滅這些燈。
第一個公共街道照明活動始於1417年，當時倫敦市長下令在冬季時於住家外懸掛燈籠。這一早期的街道照明措施標誌著組織性公共街道照明的開始，是將徹底改變全球各大城市的概念。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
Word in Use
1. plunge vt. 使陷入
The sudden news of the financial crisis plunged the company into chaos.
突如其來的金融危機消息使該公司陷入混亂。
2. installation n. 裝置，設備（可數）；安裝（不可數）
install vt. 安裝，設置
The heating installations at the department store need to be replaced. 這間百貨公司的暖氣設備需要更換。
Installation of the security system will take two days. 安裝保全系統要花上兩天時間。
This funding will help the community install a new sewer system. 這筆資金將幫助該社區安裝新的下水道系統。
3. evident a. 顯而易見的
Anna’s talent for painting was evident from a young age. 安娜的繪畫才能從小就顯而易見。
Practical Phrases
1. take... for granted 視……為理所當然
Amy takes her family members for granted and ignores their feelings.
艾咪將家人視為理所當然，並且忽略他們的感受。
2. a leap forward 一個重大進展，一大步（通常用來描述某個事物或過程中的重要進步或突破）
The new technology represents a leap forward in the field of medicine. 這項新技術代表了醫學領域的一大進步。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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