Trystan Casey
The White House, built in 1792, first received electricity in 1891 during President Benjamin Harrison's administration. The Edison Company installed a generator in the basement of the neighbouring State, War & Navy Building, with wires strung across the lawn and introduced into the White House under the conservatory. President Harrison and his wife, Caroline, refused to operate the light switches due to their fear of electric shock, leaving the task to the White House staff. Over the years, the White House has undergone significant transformations in energy and electricity, including the installation of the first electric refrigerator in 1925 and the introduction of solar electronic systems in 2008.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year electricity was installed | 1891 |
| President at the time | Benjamin Harrison |
| Company that installed the generator | The Edison Company |
| Year solar panels were installed | 1979 |
| President during solar panel installation | Jimmy Carter |
| Year of major renovation due to structural weakness | 1949-1952 |
| President during the 1949-1952 renovation | Harry Truman |
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What You'll Learn
Electricity was installed in 1891
Electricity was installed in the White House in 1891, during President Benjamin Harrison's administration. The Edison Company installed a generator for the State, War, and Navy Building (today's Eisenhower Executive Office Building) and the White House, with wires strung across the lawn and into the White House. The generator was placed in the basement of the neighbouring State, War, and Navy Building.
The electrical work was a part of a well-funded project, and the relatively new method of illumination was initially intended to supplement gaslight. Wires were carefully buried in plaster, and round switches were installed in each room for turning the current on and off. However, President Benjamin Harrison and First Lady Caroline Harrison refused to operate the switches because they feared being electrocuted. Instead, they relied on the domestic staff to turn the lights on and off. Irwin "Ike" Hoover, an electrician who later became the White House Chief Usher, recalled that "the Harrison family were actually afraid to turn the lights on and off for fear of getting a shock... I would turn on the lights in the halls and parlors in the evening, and they would burn until I returned the next morning to extinguish them."
The introduction of electricity to the White House marked a significant transformation, as the building became one of the first to adopt this new technology. At the time, electricity was barely a decade old, and few people had enough faith in electric lighting to use it exclusively. President Harrison's fear of electrocution was not unfounded, given the crudeness of household electric wiring during that era. This concern for safety highlights the early challenges associated with integrating electricity into daily life, especially in such a prominent setting as the White House.
The White House has continued to undergo electrical updates and renovations over the years to meet the needs of subsequent administrations and keep pace with technological advancements.
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Benjamin Harrison was president
The White House first got electricity in 1891, during President Benjamin Harrison's administration. The Edison Company installed a generator for the State, War, and Navy Building (today's Eisenhower Executive Office Building), with wires strung across the lawn and into the White House. The electrical work was planned as part of a well-funded project, but electricity was so new that President Harrison and his wife, Caroline, refused to operate the switches for fear of electric shock. Irwin "Ike" Hoover, an electrician who later became the White House Chief Usher, recalled that the Harrison family was afraid to turn the lights on and off. As a result, the domestic staff or the White House staff had to follow them around and turn the lights on and off for them.
Benjamin Harrison served as the 23rd President of the United States from 1889 to 1893. He was a Republican and a descendant of a long line of Virginia planters who moved to Indiana before it became a state. Harrison embodied the values of hard work and self-improvement, which were important to many Americans at the time. He was a successful businessman and a prominent politician in Indiana, serving as a US Senator before becoming President.
Harrison's administration focused on economic issues, particularly tariffs and free silver. He supported high tariffs to protect American industries and farmers, and he signed the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, which imposed high duties on imported goods. Harrison also advocated for the free coinage of silver, known as "free silver." He believed that increasing the money supply would help farmers and businesses by raising prices and making it easier to pay debts. However, this issue divided the Republican Party and contributed to his defeat in the 1892 presidential election.
During his presidency, Harrison also pushed for civil service reform and the creation of a federal agency to regulate railroads, which led to the establishment of the Interstate Commerce Commission. In foreign policy, he was a supporter of expansionism and sought to expand US influence in the Pacific. Harrison also worked to improve relations with Latin American countries and successfully negotiated a dispute with Britain over Venezuela's border with British Guiana.
Despite his achievements, Harrison's presidency faced several challenges. The country was experiencing economic difficulties, including the Panic of 1893, which began just before he left office. Additionally, his administration was affected by political divisions within the Republican Party, which contributed to his loss to Grover Cleveland in the 1892 election.
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The Edison Company installed a generator
In 1891, during President Benjamin Harrison's administration, electricity was first installed at the White House. The Edison Company installed a generator for the White House and the neighbouring State, War and Navy Building (today's Eisenhower Executive Office Building). The generator was placed in the basement of the State, War and Navy Building, with wires strung across the lawn and introduced into the White House under the conservatory. The electrical wiring was a relatively new method of illumination at the time and was intended to supplement gaslight.
The Edison Company's installation involved burying wires in plaster and installing round switches in each room to control the electric current. However, President Benjamin Harrison and First Lady Caroline Harrison were afraid of being electrocuted and refused to operate the switches. Instead, they relied on the domestic staff to turn the lights on and off. Irwin "Ike" Hoover, an electrician who later became the White House Chief Usher, recalled that "the Harrison family were actually afraid to turn the lights on and off for fear of getting a shock...I would turn on the lights in the halls and parlors in the evening, and they would burn until I returned the next morning to extinguish them."
The Edison Company's generator provided electricity to both the White House and the adjacent State, War, and Navy Building. This installation was part of a well-funded project to wire the neighbouring building, taking advantage of the proximity to set up a shared power source. The White House's electrical system drew its power from the generator in the basement of the neighbouring building, demonstrating the early stages of electrical infrastructure development.
The introduction of electricity to the White House marked a significant milestone in the history of the iconic residence. It showcased the adoption of modern conveniences and technologies, influencing the rest of North America. As presidents became accustomed to the comforts of heating, cooling, and refrigeration, these innovations became more widespread. The Edison Company's generator installation played a pivotal role in ushering the White House into the electrical age, setting a standard for modern conveniences that continue to shape presidential residences and beyond.
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The Harrisons were scared of electrocution
In 1891, during President Benjamin Harrison's administration, electricity was first installed in the White House. The Edison Company installed a generator in the basement of the neighbouring State, War, and Navy Building, with wires strung across the lawn and into the White House. This relatively new method of illumination was initially intended to supplement gaslight.
> The Harrison family were actually afraid to turn the lights on and off for fear of getting a shock…I would turn on the lights in the halls and parlors in the evening and they would burn until I returned the next morning to extinguish them.
This fear was understandable, given the crudeness of household electric wiring at the time. It is worth noting that electricity was barely a decade old at the time of its installation in the White House, and few people had enough faith in it to use it exclusively.
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The White House has undergone significant transformations
The White House, the official residence of the President of the United States, has indeed undergone significant transformations over the years. One of the most notable changes was the introduction of electricity.
In 1891, during the administration of President Benjamin Harrison, electricity was first installed in the White House. The Edison Company set up a generator in the basement of the neighbouring State, War, and Navy Building (today's Eisenhower Executive Office Building), with wires strung across the lawn and into the White House. The wiring was embedded in plaster, and each room was fitted with round switches to control the lighting. President Harrison and his wife, Caroline, were afraid of being electrocuted and refused to operate the switches, leaving it to the domestic staff instead.
Over time, as electric lighting became more prevalent, President Theodore Roosevelt oversaw a restoration project in 1902, during which more light fixtures were installed, and the original gaslights were replaced. This marked a shift towards the increased use of electricity in the White House.
The White House has also undergone various renovations and structural updates. In the late 1940s, during President Truman's tenure, the building underwent a major renovation due to concerns over its structural integrity. The Truman Reconstruction, as it came to be known, involved gutting and rebuilding much of the interior, including replacing the original electrical circuitry and wiring. This renovation lasted about four years and cost $5.7 million.
More recently, there has been a focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. In 1979, during Jimmy Carter's presidency, solar panels were installed on the roof of the White House after his advocacy for clean energy. These transformations reflect the White House's adaptation to technological advancements and changing needs, ensuring it remains a functional and iconic symbol of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The White House first had electricity installed in 1891.
Benjamin Harrison was President at the time. In fact, he and his wife, Caroline, were so afraid of electrocution that they refused to turn the lights on and off and had the staff do it for them.
The first solar electronic system was installed in the White House in 2008 under President George W. Bush.
