Wiktor Wise
The history of electricity in the United States is a fascinating one. While electricity was discovered in the 18th century, it wasn't until the late 19th century that it began to power homes, businesses, and streetlights. So, how many Americans had access to electricity in 1900? Let's delve into the electrifying story of the nation's journey towards illumination and modern conveniences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year electricity was introduced in the US | 1882 |
| First source of electricity | Hydropower |
| First US home to be powered by electricity | 1882, Appleton, Wisconsin |
| Electricity provider | Thomas Edison |
| System used | Direct Current (DC) |
| Rural electrification | 1936 |
| Percentage of American homes with electricity by 1945 | 85% |
| Percentage of American homes with electricity by 1960 | 100% |
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What You'll Learn
The introduction of electric lighting
At the turn of the 19th century, Americans relied on candles, oil lamps, and gas lamps to light their homes. While these sources produced light, they also had several drawbacks, including heat and smoke production, the need for regular refuelling, and maintenance. The introduction of electric lighting in the late 19th century offered a brighter, more efficient, and less expensive alternative.
The first form of electric lighting to appear in America was arc lighting, also known as arc lamps. Invented by Charles F. Brush, the arc lighting system was first demonstrated in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1879. Each lamp produced a glow equivalent to 4,000 candles, far surpassing the illumination provided by oil or gas lamps. The first municipal government to adopt the Brush arc lighting system was Wabash, Indiana, in 1880, making it the "first town in the world generally lighted by electricity."
Following the success of the Wabash installation, Brush deployed his arc lighting system to several other cities across America, including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Chicago. In New York City, Brush conducted a demonstration in 1880, installing 23 arc lamps along Broadway. The superior illumination and lower cost of the Brush arc lighting system compared to gas lamps led to its rapid adoption. By 1886, approximately 30 miles of thoroughfares in New York City were illuminated by arc lamps.
In 1880, Thomas Edison invented the first practical and commercially viable incandescent light bulb. Two years later, in 1882, he developed the first modern electric utility system at the Pearl Street Station in lower Manhattan, New York City. The Pearl Street Station initially served 508 customers with 10,164 lamps by 1884 but unfortunately burned down in 1890. The same year, Edison's power station and electric system brought hydroelectric power to the Appleton, Wisconsin, residence of Henry James Rogers, making it the first home in the U.S. to be lighted with a water-powered dynamo.
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The Rural Electrification Act
Although electricity was commonplace in American cities by 1900, it was largely unavailable in farms and other rural areas. By 1930, nearly nine in ten urban and nonfarm rural homes had access to electricity, but only about one in ten farms did. This disparity was due to the high costs of installing electrical infrastructure in remote areas, making it economically unfeasible to provide power to these regions.
To address this issue, the Rural Electrification Act (REA) was enacted on May 20, 1936, as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal proposals to remedy high unemployment during the Great Depression. The REA was established as a government agency authorised to provide federal loans for the installation of electrical distribution systems in isolated rural areas. The funding was channelled through cooperative electric power companies, which purchased power at wholesale prices and distributed it through their own transmission and distribution lines. These cooperatives were member-owned, and their higher-voltage distribution networks could support much longer runs than the systems used in cities, making them ideal for serving remote areas.
The REA-backed co-op model was an enormous success, with virtually all rural Americans receiving power within a 20- to 25-year period. By 1950, close to 80% of US farms had electric service, and generations of farm families celebrated "the night the lights came on". The benefits of electricity in rural areas extended beyond lighting and appliances. It boosted productivity, improved health by reducing smoke inhalation from kerosene lamps, and brought modern amenities such as washing machines, making rural life more attractive and reducing incentives to move to cities.
Over the years, the REA has undergone several amendments, including extending loan terms, allowing loans to telephone companies for rural connections, and providing access to rural broadband telecommunications networks. Today, rural electric cooperatives continue to provide electricity to over 5.5 million rural customers, transforming agriculture and life in rural America.
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Electric power in factories
In 1882, Thomas Edison constructed the Pearl Street Station, the first purpose-built power station in New York City. This station provided the first electric light to Wall Street and the New York Times. The station burned down in 1890, but it served as a model for stations that began appearing across the city. The introduction of electricity meant that natural gas was no longer required for lighting, and the industry shifted to heating and cooking.
The Adams Station Power Plant in Buffalo, New York, was the second enterprise to provide electricity to Niagara Falls, New York, in the 1890s. The 37 MW Tesla-Westinghouse Niagara hydroelectric plant, established in 1896, marked the beginning of the modern electric industry in the United States. Hydropower dominated new additions to generation capacity for the next 50 years.
Electricity was initially a novelty for the wealthy, but utility companies soon found ways to make it more affordable and accessible. Inventors created new machines using electric power in factories and homes, increasing demand. By the end of the 1920s, most American cities were electrified, with city dwellers enjoying illuminated streets and homes, indoor heating, and modern appliances like electric stoves.
However, access to electricity was not universal. While nine out of ten urban and non-farm rural homes had electricity by 1930, only about one in ten farms did. The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 established the REA as a government agency, authorizing it to make loans to wire homes and provide them with lights and appliances. The REA worked with cooperatives (commonly known as co-ops) to achieve its goals, helping farmers organize and providing a template for laws authorizing electric co-ops.
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Electric power in homes
In the early days of electricity in homes, it was a luxury enjoyed only by the rich. The first American home to be powered by electricity was in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1882. This house used the direct current (DC) system, developed by Thomas Edison. Over the following years, a debate raged between Edison and George Westinghouse, who championed alternating current (AC). Edison's student, Nikola Tesla, also believed that AC was superior as it could more easily and efficiently convert power to higher or lower voltages. However, Edison argued that AC was more dangerous, a claim some referred to as a "misinformation campaign".
Electricity became widely available in homes in the early 20th century, initially for lighting. By 1925, only half of American houses had electrical power. It wasn't until FDR's Rural Electrification Act of 1936 that electricity became more accessible to rural communities. By 1945, 85% of American homes were powered by electricity, and by 1960, virtually all homes had electricity.
The introduction of dedicated electrical circuits allowed homes to safely power multiple appliances at once. As appliances like vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and washing machines became popular in the 1950s, the demand for electricity surged. Today, electricity is essential for powering the myriad appliances and electronic devices that are a part of modern life.
Safety standards for electrical wiring in homes have also evolved over time. In the earliest days, electricity was carried by bare copper wires with minimal cotton insulation. Wooden sockets, switch handles, and fuse blocks were common. From 1890 to 1910, knob and tube wiring was used, with hot and neutral wires insulated by rubberised cloth. Flexible armoured cable became commonplace in the 1920s to 1940s, offering better protection from wire damage. Metal conduits, which enclosed multiple insulated wires in rigid metal tubes, were introduced in the 1940s, reducing the potential for danger compared to earlier methods.
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The discovery of electricity
One of the first major breakthroughs in electricity generation came in 1831 when British scientist Michael Faraday discovered the basic principles of electricity generation. He observed that he could create an electric current by moving magnets inside coils of copper wire, a process known as electromagnetic induction. This discovery revolutionized how we use energy and laid the foundation for modern power production.
In the late 19th century, electricity began to power homes, businesses, and streetlights. Inventors created new machines and appliances that used electric power, spurring growing demand. Thomas Edison, one of the greatest pioneers in electricity, brought the incandescent electric light bulb into practical use and patented it in 1880. This invention was one of the first applications of electricity in modern life, providing brighter, more consistent, and safer lighting than traditional candles or lamps.
By the end of the 1920s, most American cities were electrified, with city dwellers enjoying illuminated homes, indoor heating, and modern appliances. However, access to electricity was not universal, and it wasn't until the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 that efforts were made to bring power to rural areas. This act established the REA, a government agency authorized to make loans to wire homes and provide lighting and appliances. As a result, virtually all rural Americans received power within a 20- to 25-year period.
The discovery and widespread adoption of electricity transformed how people lived and worked, with modern electrical services making homes safer and more energy-efficient. Today, electricity remains a preferred form of energy due to its high efficiency, instant access, adjustable flow, cleanliness, and silence.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear exactly how many Americans had access to electricity in 1900, but it was likely a small minority. Electricity was initially a novelty for the rich, but utility companies soon discovered ways to make it more affordable and accessible.
In 1882, a house in Appleton, Wisconsin became the first American home to be powered by hydroelectricity. This was made possible by Thomas Edison's direct current (DC) system.
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 played a crucial role in increasing access to electricity in rural areas. By 1945, 85% of American homes were powered by electricity, and virtually all homes had electricity by 1960.
Electricity had a significant impact on rural communities, boosting nighttime illumination, reducing smoke inhalation, and improving overall health. It also enabled the expansion of industries such as construction and services, leading to long-term economic benefits.
