1973: Energy Crisis (UK)

After months of miners working to rule because of efforts to cap pay, Britain’s coal stocks were reaching perilously low levels by the end of 1973.

Faced with the electricity system collapsing under the strain because it depended on coal at the time, the Edward Heath Government imposed a series of short term restrictions on consumption comparable to wartime rationing.

Firms not classed as essential services were restricted to three consecutive days’ power use a week and only five days a fortnight.

Candlelight, luminous vests and hairdryers: How Britain survived rolling blackouts in the 1970s