From the Archives 29.6.08

Carbide and Bananas

Last week we talked about the times before electricity when carbide lamps were in extensive use and can still be seen on vintage cars and bicycles. Early buses, trains and horse carriages and some street lights all used carbide lamps. They were bright and efficient.

But there was another use for carbide.

Country people often used carbide for ripening bananas. Two pieces, the size of a man’s thumbnail would ripen a tea chest full of bananas. The lumps of carbide were placed on newspaper at the bottom of the chest. A handful of dry grass was placed over the carbide. A few drops of water sprinkled on the grass and gas began to rise, both visibly and smelly. Quickly, dozens of green bananas hands were placed on top of the smoking grass covered with newspaper and held in place by a jute sack. After a couple of days a few bananas were squeezed to see whether they had ‘sprung’. Another day or so and they would all be golden.

It is no longer possible to buy carbide at a general store. Perhaps the story of the source of Power and Light will move to solar, wind and tidal systems in the not too distant future.