Stobie poles

The Stobie pole is a steel and concrete pole which carries electricity and telephone lines. It was invented in South Australia by James Cyril Stobie to compensate for the state's lack of suitable timber for wooden poles. The Stobie pole was patented in 1924 and the first was erected on South Terrace, Adelaide, that same year. Stobie poles are termite proof, stronger and lighter than all-steel poles. They can be manufactured on site when being installed in country areas and have a life span of approximately 50 years. To counteract their relative ugliness climbing plants such as geraniums are sometimes planted at the base of Stobie poles and in the Adelaide suburb of Prospect, and some other localities, some poles have been painted by artists and community groups.