Oldest code book

[stevenje]

Here's one for all you old wire twisters out there. Who has a copy of the oldest code book? I"ll start the "bidding" out with a 1975. My 1st/2nd year apprenticeship codebook. I remember seeing one from the 50's. Boy was it small!

 

[LarryFine]

Here's one for all you old wire twisters out there. Who has a copy of the oldest code book? I"ll start the "bidding" out with a 1975. My 1st/2nd year apprenticeship codebook. I remember seeing one from the 50's. Boy was it small!

Sorry, Steve, you're not even in the running. There is more than one forum member with pre-1900 codes.

 

[chris kennedy]

Ken, Ken, telephone.

 

[walkerj]

My oldest dates back to 2002

I do have a book called "Questions and Answers to Electrician's Examinations" based on the 1975 NEC not that that has anything to do with this thread

 

[kbsparky]

I have the last Code that was adopted before the NEC was started, from 1897:

 

[Buck Parrish]

Here is a sixth edition 1947 NEC Handbook, I had no ideal they had been around that long.
$ 49.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/National-Electr...emQQptZUS_Nonfiction_Book?hash=item5ad44e4b88

 

[kbsparky]

Here is another scan from inside of the front cover. While this book was a reprint from the original, it still has historical significance.

It was issued during a 1984 Code change seminar given by the Middle Dept. Inspection Agency, Inc. Everyone who attended the class was given a copy.

 

[brian john]

I think my oldest is 1916, will have to look Monday.

 

[480sparky]

OK, I'll brag a bit:

 

[480sparky]

Here is a sixth edition 1947 NEC Handbook, I had no ideal they had been around that long.
$ 49.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/National-Electr...emQQptZUS_Nonfiction_Book?hash=item5ad44e4b88

It's not an NFPA handbook, it's just a handbook based on the NEC. I think NFPA picked up 'sponsorship' of McGrw-Hills handbook in the 60s.

 

[480sparky]

Here's one for all you old wire twisters out there. Who has a copy of the oldest code book? I"ll start the "bidding" out with a 1975. My 1st/2nd year apprenticeship codebook. I remember seeing one from the 50's. Boy was it small!

Click here for an excellent (and I mean excellent!) NEC history. Micheal there has documented what became the NEC back to 1881.

As for who has the 'oldest' code book, that's a subject of debate, as what would constitute a 'code book'. The NFPA didn't publish it until 1925. The oldest actual codebook I have is the 1911, my 1897 being the same 1984 reprint kbsparky has, and my 1896 and 1901 and handbooks.

The oldest genuine electrical book I have is "Munro and Jamieson's Pocket Book of Electrical Rules & Tables," printed in London in 1888.

Now, if you want old, try to find a copy of The Nature and Property of Electricity, printed in England in 1746.

 

[brian john]

Click here for an excellent (and I mean excellent!) NEC history. Micheal there has documented what became the NEC back to 1881.

As for who has the 'oldest' code book, that's a subject of debate, as what would constitute a 'code book'. The NFPA didn't publish it until 1925. The oldest actual codebook I have is the 1911, my 1897 being the same 1984 reprint kbsparky has, and my 1896 and 1901 and handbooks.

The oldest genuine electrical book I have is "Munro and Jamieson's Pocket Book of Electrical Rules & Tables," printed in London in 1888.

Now, if you want old, try to find a copy of The Nature and Property of Electricity, printed in England in 1746.

I have a few old code books, you have a LOT of old code books and a knowledge of the NEC history to go along with the books.

 

[480sparky]

I have a few old code books, you have a LOT of old code books and a knowledge of the NEC history to go along with the books.

And you know what's really had to find? A looseleaf copy of the 1993. I know they printed them because I have the pages, but I've thrown out the original cover. I recently found my 1996 looseleaf, but it's not shown in the photo. I guess I'm partial to looseleafs, you can tell by the photo.

I guess I could just print my own cover and stick it in a store-bought 7-ring binder, but for some reason that seems like cheating.

 

[jumper]

I have a few old code and electrical books, my latest addition is a WWII military manual that my wife got me for christmas. I think it is cool because it was printed in 1944 and was issued by the authority of General George C. Marshall.

View attachment 4220

 

[chris kennedy]

And you know what's really had to find? A looseleaf copy of the 1993.

Look, I found one on my living room floor.

 

[stevenje]

OK, I'll brag a bit:

What an incredible collection! Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[480sparky]

Look, I found one on my living room floor.

You are my new best friend!


I'm also gonna throw these gems from my collection up for your delectation:

 

[480sparky]

More oldies but goodies:

(Newark, N.J. ???)




.

 

[stevenje]

Look, I found one on my living room floor.

I remember one of the journeyman I worked with had one of these. I can also tell you that a few months of sitting on the dash of the work van, in the hot summer Colorado sun, it doesn't look like yours anymore.

 

[kbsparky]

And you know what's really had to find? A looseleaf copy of the 1993. I know they printed them because I have the pages, but I've thrown out the original cover. I recently found my 1996 looseleaf, but it's not shown in the photo. I guess I'm partial to looseleafs, you can tell by the photo.

I guess I could just print my own cover and stick it in a store-bought 7-ring binder, but for some reason that seems like cheating.

I have the looseleaf, complete with an engraved name plate on the binding. It came as a premium from Branch Electric's Expo and code class given at that time by Gregory P. Bierals.