As a small child, I used to be intrigued by the "gasometers" you could see from the train as you pulled into King's Cross London. Amazed to see how they've repurposed some of them...and the coal depot too, now with its almost Moebius-strip-like roof!
The gasometers, or gas holders, were not "meters" for measuring, but held town gas (later natural as). The cap would rise and fall depending on use, which fascinated me as a bairn, always different heights each time we were there.
@sciencebase There was one opposite my office, for BOF gas (CO) collection. It was always called the 'gas holder' though. Up and down like a whores's drawers it was.
@sciencebase Ours had the extra name of 'Wiggins'. I think it meant there wasn't a bath of water for it to sit in and seal it.
@SteelFolk I never knew them as being called gas holders