The antiquated hydraulic power system
The hydraulic accumulator is a storage device able to hold fluid at high pressure. After its introduction, the accumulator's potential was utilized in 1877 by the Hull Hydraulic Power Company to supply power to heavy machinery via water pressure.
The city of Manchester, England, had a similar public hydraulic network until 1972. Pipes extending as much as 35 miles delivered 1100 PSI of pressure.
The popularity of electric power eventually led to the decline of these systems.