Molly Ayala
The history of electricity in the US is a fascinating one. From its early beginnings as a luxury for the wealthy, to the widespread electrification of homes and communities, electricity has played a pivotal role in shaping modern life in America. The story starts with pioneering scientists in Europe, who first explored the mysteries of electricity, and the invention of the first true battery. In the US, Thomas Edison is credited with producing a reliable and long-lasting electric lightbulb in 1879, marking a significant milestone in the country's electrical history. However, it wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that electricity began to be more widely available, with the establishment of power stations in major cities and the development of electrical distribution systems. By the 1920s, electricity was starting to transform farms and rural areas, and by 1929, nearly 68% of American homes were electrified, powering everything from lighting to appliances and even chicken coops. Today, electricity is an integral part of daily life, powering not just our homes but also our cars, planes, and electronic devices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First appearance in print of the word "electricity" | 1646 |
| Earliest form of electricity | English scientist William Gilbert coined the term "electricus" in the 15th century |
| First true battery invented by | Italian scientist Alessandro Volta |
| First electric light bulb | Thomas Edison, 1879 |
| First house to be electrified | J.P. Morgan's house, with 400 light bulbs |
| Electric lighting installed in the White House | 1891 |
| Alternating current used to power | The city of Buffalo, by 1896 |
| Percentage of American households with electricity in 1920 | 35% |
| Percentage of American households with electricity by 1929 | 68% |
| Percentage of American homes with a mechanical refrigerator in 1930 | 8% |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Edison's generator
The introduction of electricity in the US can be traced back to the late 19th century when hydropower was first used as an electricity source. In 1882, Thomas Edison's power station, the world's first hydroelectric plant, began operations in Appleton, Wisconsin. This marked a significant shift as natural gas was no longer needed for lighting homes.
Thomas Edison, along with his assistants Charles Batchelor and Francis Upton, made groundbreaking contributions to the development of electric generators. In the fall of 1878, Edison began experimenting with existing arc light generators, recognising their inefficiency for incandescent lighting. By January 1879, he and his team had advanced their understanding of generators, leading to the construction of a new design.
Edison's generator, known as the "long-legged Mary-Ann" due to its distinctive shape, featured large bipolar magnets. This design built upon Michael Faraday's earlier work on electromagnetic current generation. Edison's insight was to understand that a greater number of lines of force crossed in a direct manner would result in a more productive generator. Thus, his large magnets served as a concentrated source of Faraday's lines of magnetic force.
The key innovation in Edison's generator design was in the management of internal and external resistance. Contemporary electrical experts believed that a generator's efficiency was highest when its internal resistance equalled the external resistance of the circuit. However, Edison recognised that a generator with a smaller internal resistance produced a more efficient power output. This understanding formed the basis for his improved dynamo design, which he claimed delivered "96% of horsepower applied to it".
Edison's DC generator, based on his 1878 design, featured vertically oriented field coils that generated the magnetic field for the rotor to turn in. This generator was built in various sizes, with larger horizontal versions used in the world's first power plant, the Pearl Street Central Generating Station. These "Jumbos" powered 10,000 light bulbs in a district of Manhattan, showcasing the practical applications of Edison's generator technology.
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Nikola Tesla's alternating current
The introduction of electricity in the US in 1882 marked a shift from natural gas to electric lighting in homes. This was also the year that Thomas Edison's power station, the world's first hydroelectric plant, went online in Appleton, Wisconsin.
In the late 1880s, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla were engaged in a battle known as the "War of the Currents". Edison developed direct current (DC), which runs continuously in a single direction and was the standard in the US during the early years of electricity. However, direct current cannot be easily converted to higher or lower voltages.
Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American engineer, futurist, and inventor, believed that alternating current (AC) was the solution to the limitations of direct current. Alternating current reverses direction a certain number of times per second and can be converted to different voltages relatively easily using a transformer.
Tesla's AC induction motor and related polyphase AC patents, licensed by Westinghouse Electric in 1888, brought him considerable money and fame. In 1893, Westinghouse used Tesla's alternating current system to light the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In 1896, Tesla's system was used at Niagara Falls in the world's first large-scale hydroelectric plant, marking the beginning of the modern electric industry in the United States. This plant, known as the Tesla-Westinghouse Niagara hydroelectric plant, generated 37 MW of power and demonstrated the superiority of alternating current.
Today, electricity in the US is still predominantly powered by alternating current, with some applications utilising direct current, such as computers, LEDs, solar cells, and electric vehicles.
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Rural electrification in the 1920s
In the 1920s, electricity was becoming an essential part of modern life in the United States. However, access to electricity was far from universal, with most major cities having electricity while rural communities, including farms, were far slower in adopting electricity. By 1929, nearly 68% of American homes were electrified, but this included very few farms. In 1922, of the roughly 6.3 million American farms, only about 3% had electricity.
The introduction of electric lighting, first with arc lamps in the 1870s for city streets and then with the incandescent light bulb in the 1880s, heralded a much brighter future. Electricity was initially a novelty for the rich, but utility companies soon found ways to take advantage of economies of scale in power generation and distribution, making it more affordable and accessible.
During the 1920s, the Tennessee River valley was one of the most impoverished regions of the United States, home to millions of poor subsistence farmers. Its rivers, however, held the potential to produce huge amounts of hydroelectric power. In 1931, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a report that made it clear that cheap electric power, flood control, and improved navigation and health conditions could be achieved through a carefully coordinated development of the river system.
In the 1920s, when cities were being electrified, the power market was much more competitive, and utilities had an incentive to expand quickly to claim territory and customers. Electric companies conducted studies where a handful of farms were given access to electricity and electric appliances, and these farms reported significantly higher productivity and happiness. However, most utility companies were reluctant to electrify farms due to the high cost of connecting them to the grid.
In the 1920s, it was common for urban areas to have access to the latest electrified gadgets, including electric lamps, dishwashing machines, and the wireless telephone or radio. Electric stoves and ovens were also becoming more common, although a refrigerator would have still been a luxury. In rural areas, where electricity was available, it was normal to have most of the same appliances as urban areas, except for a TV, computer, and refrigerator.
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Electric power distribution systems
The history of electricity in the US is a long and complex one, with the first power-distribution systems being installed in the 1880s. At this time, electricity started being generated at power stations, whereas before it was usually generated at the site of use. The first electric transmission line in the US was constructed in 1889, transmitting electricity over a 13-mile span. This was considered a major technological breakthrough.
Electric power distribution is the final stage in the delivery of electricity. Power plants generate electricity, which is then transmitted through power lines to substations and transformers, which adjust the voltage for use in homes and businesses. The distribution system connects consumers with the grid, regardless of the source of the electricity.
There are three major synchronous electrical grids in the continental US: the Eastern Interconnection, the Western Interconnection, and the Texas Interconnection. These grids are tied together at various points, allowing electricity to be transmitted across the US and into parts of Canada and Mexico. The transmission grids are operated by transmission system operators (TSOs), which are typically not-for-profit companies owned by utilities in their respective service areas. TSOs provide indiscriminate transmission access to electricity generators and customers.
The voltage of electricity at the beginning of the distribution system can be as high as 33,000 volts. This voltage is then stepped down by transformers to a medium voltage, ranging between 2 kV and 33 kV. Primary distribution lines carry this medium-voltage power to distribution transformers located near the customer. The voltage is then stepped down again to the utilization voltage, which is used by lighting, industrial equipment, and household appliances.
Urban distribution is mostly underground, while rural distribution is above ground, and suburban distribution is a mix of the two. The final circuit in an urban system is usually less than 50 feet, while a rural customer may have a final circuit of over 300 feet.
The US electric distribution system is highly efficient, with a 91.93% efficiency rating. The country is also making strides towards renewable energy, with wind and solar power being utilized more and more. In 2021, President Biden signed an executive order committing the country to reach 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035.
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Electric lighting in the White House
The history of electricity in the United States is a fascinating one, with many pioneers making significant contributions to its development. One of the earliest pioneers was Benjamin Franklin, who, in 1752, conducted a daring experiment with a kite and a wire, successfully capturing an electrical charge.
The introduction of electric lighting to the White House was part of a broader trend of electrification in American homes and communities. Thomas Edison, renowned for his invention of the light bulb, played a pivotal role in this process. He established the world's first electric power distribution system, marking the beginning of widespread electrification.
The White House has continued to undergo electrical updates and renovations over the years. During the administration of Lyndon B. Johnson, the President gained a reputation for wandering the White House and turning off lights in empty rooms, earning him the nickname "Light Bulb Johnson". More recently, administrations have focused on making the White House more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, with contributions from Presidents Carter, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity first became available in the US in the late 1800s, with Thomas Edison's invention of the lightbulb in 1879.
Electricity became widely available in the US in the 1920s, with nearly 68% of American homes electrified by 1929.
Samuel Insull brought electricity to rural areas in the US through his work at the electric generation and distribution company Chicago Edison.
