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The Geothermal Museum:
Larderello (Temporary Headquarters)
[Historical Notes] [The Factories]
[The
Chemistry] [Drilling] [Electricity]
The Factories
After boric acid was discovered, a Frenchman, Frangois De Larderel set up the factories for industrial use of this
resource. De Larderel was bom at Vienne in the Dauphine region, and he had to set up the industrial and social
organization of the factories.
The scale model of the town of Larderello, named after its founder, shows that the workers'
homes, the church, the pharmacy, the barracks, recreational and social activities were grouped together with the
boilers and industrial facilities-. the workers practically lived in the factory.
In 1849 De Larderal drafted the GENERAL REGULATIONS that outlined the industrial
and social structure of the Boric Acid factories. The portion of the regulations covering the factory organization
describes the duties of De Larderel's direct staff, such as the Inspector General and the Ministers who were the
factory foremen as well as the duties of the workers who manufactured the boric acid. The factories' social arrangements
called for the pharmacist, the doctor, schools for the workers' children, the company store (food), the chaplain,
music, help for widows and other important social activities for the workers.
The Regulations reflect the social ideals of the French Revolution which were also applied to encourage workers
to come and then stay in what in those days were considered hardship posts.
Difficulties in communications with the outside made it necessary for all the industrial activities to be organized
autonomously.
In fact, trades and skills related to mining activities such as the drillers, dredgers, and later electricians,
were joined by those needed to maintain the plant facilities: mechanics, welders, builders, and carpenters so that
repair and construction work could be done promptly.
[Historical
Notes] [The Factories] [The Chemistry]
[Drilling] [Electricity]
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