Molly Ayala
The electrification of homes, also known as household electrification, refers to the process of powering homes with electricity, transitioning from an older power source. The arrival of electricity in homes brought about a significant shift, allowing for illumination at the flick of a switch. While the adoption of electricity in homes varied across different regions, several milestones and factors contributed to its widespread integration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electric power in houses | September 1882, in Appleton, Wisconsin |
| System used | Direct current (DC), developed by Thomas Edison |
| First electrical power station | Founded in 1882 by Thomas Edison in New York City |
| Rural Electrification Act | Passed in 1936 |
| Percentage of American homes with electricity by 1945 | 85% |
| Year by which virtually all American homes had electricity | 1960 |
| Use of grounded wires to improve safety | After 1965 |
| Use of electricity | Lighting, operating appliances, entertainment, technology, transport, medical equipment |
| Benefits of electrification | Improved safety, convenience, efficiency, and access to modern amenities |
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What You'll Learn
The first electrified house in the US
The electrification of homes, or 'household electrification', has been called "the greatest engineering achievement of the 20th Century". In the United States, electricity became common in urban homes in the 1930s, but many rural homes were still waiting decades for power.
The first house in the US to be electrified was the Hearthstone Historic House in Appleton, Wisconsin. On 30 September 1882, it became the first residence in the US to be powered by a centrally located hydroelectric station, using the Edison system. The house was owned by Henry James Rogers, a paper company executive and entrepreneur. It was powered by the Appleton Edison Light Company, the first commercial electric plant in America. The electricity was generated by a dynamo located inside one of the two local paper mills.
The house still features its original Thomas Edison light fixtures and period electroliers. In a letter to the Western Edison Light Company, dated 11 November 1882, Rogers wrote:
> "Gentlemen, I have used 50 lamps in my residence and have used them about 60 days. I am pleased with them beyond expression and do not see how they can be improved upon. No heat no smoke no vitiated air and the light steady and pleasant in every way and more economical than gas and quite as reliable."
The local newspaper, the Appleton Crescent, proclaimed that the electricity in the home was "bright as day".
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Rural Electrification Act of 1936
In the United States, electricity became common in urban households during the 1930s. However, rural areas were still lacking access to electricity. To address this disparity, the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (REA) was enacted on May 20, 1936. This legislation was one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal proposals aimed at tackling high unemployment during the Great Depression.
The REA provided federal loans for the installation of electrical distribution systems in isolated rural regions of the United States. The funding was channelled through cooperative electric power companies, which purchased power wholesale and distributed it via their own transmission and distribution lines. Hundreds of these cooperatives still exist today.
The Rural Electrification Administration, created by President Roosevelt through Executive Order 7037 on May 11, 1935, laid the groundwork for the REA. At the time, electricity was prevalent in cities but largely inaccessible on farms, ranches, and other rural locations. The REA's passage was supported by Representative John E. Rankin, Senator George William Norris, and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, who played a pivotal role in its enactment.
The impact of the REA was significant. By 1945, 85% of American homes were powered by electricity, a remarkable increase from 50% in 1925. This led to a surge in the popularity of electrical appliances like vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and washing machines in the 1950s, further boosting electricity demand. The REA's influence extended beyond electrification, improving the quality of life for rural residents, especially women in regions like rural Texas Hill Country, who gained access to water pumps, electric stoves, and modern laundry facilities.
Amendments to the REA over the years have expanded its scope. In 1944, loan terms were extended to 35 years, and in 1949, the act was modified to allow loans to telephone companies extending service to rural areas. More recently, in 2008, provisions were made for rural areas to access broadband telecommunications networks and the internet.
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Electric lighting
For most of human history, generating light was a laborious, hands-on task. The greatest source of indoor light usually came from a fixed fire in the hearth, with candles or oil lamps providing dim but mobile light around the home. The wealthy used candles made from beeswax or spermaceti wax, while the poor had to make do with stinking, smoky, dripping tallow candles or feeble rushlights that burned animal fat.
In 1835, the first constant electric light was demonstrated, and for the next 40 years, scientists around the world worked on the incandescent lamp, tinkering with the filament and the bulb's atmosphere. These early bulbs were extremely short-lived, too expensive, or used too much energy.
In 1879, Thomas Edison patented and began commercializing his incandescent light bulb. However, British inventors had been demonstrating that electric light was possible with the arc lamp before this. William Sawyer and Albon Man received a US patent for the incandescent lamp, and Joseph Swan patented his light bulb in England. There was debate over whether Edison's light bulb patents infringed on these other inventors. Eventually, Edison's US lighting company merged with the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, which was making incandescent bulbs under the Sawyer-Man patent. Edison's English lighting company also merged with Joseph Swan's company to form Ediswan in England.
What makes Edison's contribution to electric lighting so notable is that he didn't stop with improving the bulb—he developed a suite of inventions that made the use of light bulbs practical. Edison modelled his lighting technology on the existing gas lighting system. Electric lighting was just one part of a broader electrification process, which also included power plants and electric transmission lines.
By the mid-1880s, electric companies were establishing central power stations and distributing electricity. By 1890, there were 1,000 central stations in operation, and by 1925, half of the power was provided by central stations. However, when lighting was practically the only use of electricity, demand was high during the early morning and evening, and most early electric companies did not provide daytime service.
Electricity became common in urban homes in the US in the 1930s, with 85% of American homes powered by electricity by 1945. By 1960, virtually all homes had electricity. Initially, electricity was primarily used for lighting, but as appliances like vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and washing machines became popular, demand for electricity grew further.
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The direct current vs alternating current debate
The debate around the use of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) in homes began in the late 19th century. In 1882, a house in Appleton, Wisconsin became the first American home to be powered by hydroelectricity, using the DC system developed by Thomas Edison.
Direct current is a unidirectional flow of current, providing a constant voltage or current. In other words, the electric charge only flows in one direction and does not change. This is in contrast to alternating current, where the flow of charge periodically changes direction, resulting in a reversal of voltage levels.
The debate centred on which type of current was more suitable for powering homes. Edison, who favoured DC circuits, argued that AC circuits were dangerous. On the other side, Nikola Tesla, a student of Edison, and George Westinghouse championed the use of AC. They believed that AC was superior because power could be more easily and efficiently converted to higher or lower voltages using transformers.
Ultimately, AC became the dominant form of electricity used in homes, businesses, and power grids. This is due to several advantages AC holds over DC. Firstly, AC can be efficiently transmitted over long distances through power lines by increasing or decreasing voltage using transformers. This makes it ideal for powering most household devices and infrastructure. Secondly, AC is compatible with the global electric grid, which delivers AC power, making it a standard for homes and businesses.
However, DC has its advantages too. It provides a constant and stable voltage, making it safer for delicate electronics like laptops, phones, and LED lights. DC is also better suited for batteries, electronics, and renewable energy systems. Most new electronic devices in homes run on DC power, and modern systems have been developed to bridge the gap between AC and DC, allowing for seamless integration of both power sources.
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Electric appliances
The electrification of homes began in the late 19th century, but it took several decades for electric appliances to become commonplace. Initially, electricity was primarily used for lighting. However, the invention of electric appliances soon followed, with small electrical stations based on Edison's designs in several US cities by the end of the 1880s.
Early Electric Appliances
In the early days of household electrification, electric appliances were often adaptations of existing technologies. For example, the General Electric D-12 toaster was the first model commercially produced and sold to United States homeowners. Curling irons, combs, and razors also transitioned to electric versions. These early electric appliances provided obvious practical benefits, such as heating curling irons, making them easier to use.
However, some early designs did little to inspire confidence in consumers. For example, a 1908 General Electric toaster featured an open basket for the toast and exposed resistance wires that glowed red, presenting a burn hazard and raising concerns about electric shocks. The high cost of early electric appliances was also a barrier to adoption, as they were significantly more expensive than their non-electric counterparts.
Wider Adoption of Electric Appliances
By the 1920s, a cultural shift began to occur, with the appliance craze leading more consumers to adopt electric appliances. This shift was facilitated by the ability to purchase items on credit and the government-mandated rural electrification of the 1930s, which put more people on the grid and drove down electric costs. By 1930, the majority of people in larger towns and cities had electricity, and by 1945, 85% of American homes were electrified, with virtually all homes electrified by 1960.
As electricity became more accessible, appliances like vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and washing machines gained popularity starting in the 1950s, leading to a surge in demand for electricity. By the 1930s, advertisements promoted electric appliances, such as irons and vacuum cleaners, as labour-saving devices, catering to consumers' desire for convenience and modern conveniences.
The adoption of electric appliances in homes was a gradual process, influenced by factors such as cost, safety concerns, and cultural shifts. Over time, electric appliances became increasingly integrated into daily life, shaping how people lived and worked and contributing to what has been called "the greatest engineering achievement of the 20th Century."
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Frequently asked questions
By 1945, 85% of American homes were powered by electricity, with virtually all homes having electricity by 1960.
Radios, toasters, vacuum cleaners, irons, curling irons, and coffee pots were some of the first electric appliances to be sold and purchased.
The main use of electricity was lighting.
