Michael Faraday Memorial facts for kids
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The Michael Faraday Memorial is a special monument in London, England. It honors a famous scientist named Michael Faraday who lived a long time ago during the Victorian era. You can find it in Elephant Square at Elephant and Castle.
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What is the Michael Faraday Memorial?
This unique building is shaped like a box and is made of stainless steel. A modern architect named Rodney Gordon designed it in 1959. It was built in 1961.
The memorial stands in the middle of a large roundabout in Elephant and Castle. It was placed here because Michael Faraday was born nearby in Newington Butts. The monument reminds everyone how important Faraday was as a scientist.
What's Inside the Memorial?
Inside the memorial, there is a London Underground electrical substation. This substation helps power the Northern line and Bakerloo line trains. It's quite fitting for a memorial to Faraday, who was a pioneer in electricity!
Rodney Gordon first wanted the building to have glass walls. This way, people could see the electrical equipment working inside. However, to keep it safe from damage, the design was changed to a metal casing instead.
Many people don't realize why the memorial is there. This is because some parts of Gordon's original design, which explained the link to Faraday, were not built. But, if you look closely, there is an inscription on the paving nearby that says it is the Faraday Memorial.
In 1996, the monument was given Grade II listed building status. This means it's a special building protected by law because of its history and design.
Changes and Updates to the Memorial
Over the years, there have been some changes and plans for the Michael Faraday Memorial.
New Lighting Schemes
In 1996, a local schoolgirl from English Martyrs R.C. primary school designed a new lighting scheme for the memorial. She won a competition held by Blue Peter, a popular BBC children's TV show.
This lighting scheme stopped working after a while. So, in May 2012, Southwark Council put in a new lighting system. It has a fun "disco" theme and lights up every evening after dark.
Plans for Moving the Memorial
In the early 2000s, there were plans to change the Elephant and Castle area. One idea was to move the Michael Faraday Memorial about 400 meters south-east. It would have stood next to the Cuming Museum. There was even talk of it becoming part of a new science museum.
However, these plans changed as the redevelopment of Elephant and Castle evolved. The memorial ended up staying in its original spot. The area around it was changed to make it easier for people to reach the monument.
