A trolley pole is a tapered cylindrical pole of wood or metal, used to transfer electricity from a "live" overhead wire to the control and the electric traction motors of a tram or trolley bus. The use of overhead wire in a system of current collection is reputed to be the 1880 invention of Frank J. Sprague, while the first working trolley pole was developed and demonstrated by Charles Van Depoele, in autumn 1885.
Read more about Trolley Pole: Origin of The Term, Description of The Device, Single- and Double-pole Usage, Decline in Usage On Railways
Famous quotes containing the word pole:
“This man was very clever and quick to learn anything in his line. Our tent was of a kind new to him; but when he had once seen it pitched, it was surprising how quickly he would find and prepare the pole and forked stakes to pitch it with, cutting and placing them right the first time, though I am sure that the majority of white men would have blundered several times.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)