A Brief History of Control Rooms | Technology Desking™

Control rooms play an important role in society, but have you ever wondered how they came about? In this article, we take a look at the origins of control rooms and how they evolved over time.

What is a control room?

Control rooms are mission critical work environments, often in use 24/7. They may be monitoring and coordinating activities for vital services. This can include utilities, transport, space, emergency services and more.

Meteorological satellite control room in Germany

Early factory and power station control rooms

Control rooms have their origins in the factory floor of the early 20th Century. Mass production meant that more efficient methods of monitoring production were being sought. The introduction of control rooms allowed the central monitoring of assembly lines. This greatly improved reliability and production levels.

The early 20th Century saw a huge growth in electricity use, both domestic and industrial. In the UK, the National Grid began to roll out electricity to homes in 1919. By the 1930s two thirds of homes were connected to the mains. Power stations became bigger and more complex as their generating capacity expanded. Some of the earliest control rooms were developed to manage these vast systems. They improved operational efficiency and safety.

Fossil fuel power plant in point tupper — Fossil fuel power plant in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia

Operators used a system of hand switches, dials, and indicator lights. Everything was analogue. Illuminated diagrammatical plans were the only visual display available at that time. Orders to the shop floor were transmitted via engine telegraphs.

Often these vast spaces were lavishly designed. In London, Battersea Power Station’s Control Room was constructed with Italian marble. It had beautiful Art Deco styling.

original battersea power station control room — Battersea Power Station Control Room

Improving flight safety with air traffic control

Early flight was fraught with danger. Pilots had to navigate themselves using a compass and map reading. Poor visibility could lead to the pilot becoming lost. Or worse, colliding with another aircraft. The development of radio telephony improved aircraft safety. It enabled staff on the ground to communicate with pilots and track their position. This led to the creation of air traffic control rooms. Operators plotted the aircraft’s position on a map. They communicated with pilots using radio telephony and morse code, informing them of weather conditions and the location of other aircraft.

Croydon airport flight control room — UK's first international airport at Croydon

Top secret wartime bunkers

Wartime command centres had a crucial role to play in World War Two. The strategy, planning and communication that underpinned many critical battles took place in these dedicated control rooms. Often their locations were top secret and they were housed in underground bunkers. Two famous examples include Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms and the Battle of Britain Bunker in London. Aircraft and army positions were plotted on a large central map. Operators were in contact with military lookout posts. These control rooms were also secure locations for senior military figures and heads of state to meet.

plotting table ww2 bunker control room — Battle of Britain bunker control room

Groundbreaking space exploration

Control rooms played a critical role in the coordination of spaceflight missions. One of the most iconic control rooms of all time is NASA’s mission control centre in Houston. It used groundbreaking technology to monitor every aspect of space missions. Operators here coordinated the historic Apollo missions. This included the famous Apollo 11 lunar landing. On this mission Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon.

NASA mission control for the International Space Station (ISS)

Modern control rooms

Modern control rooms are vastly different from their early origins. The evolution of computing and internet technology has had a big impact. Centralised monitoring and information gathering is now far more efficient. Today’s control rooms are much smaller. They no longer have to incorporate huge walls of meters and switches.

dual desktops sit stand control room console — Gas and water network control room in Ireland

Control room design and equipment are now customised for the needs of the industry served. Ergonomic design and durable furniture help workers stay comfortable. This is essential for long shifts in the modern 24/7 command centre environment.

linear arranged control room — Gas and water network control room in Ireland

Today control rooms coordinate more industries and services than ever before. These can include transport, broadcast, utilities and more. Throughout their history control rooms had an important role in modernising industry and vital services. They've improved safety and wellbeing for workers and public alike.

large control room in London — Tube signalling control room in London UK

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