Beatrice Lang
The title of the first city in the world to have electricity is disputed. Godalming in Surrey, England, is often credited with being the first to have a public electricity 'grid' and electric street lighting in 1881. However, San José, Costa Rica, was illuminated with electric lighting in 1884, just two years after New York City, and is considered by some to be the third city in the world to have electricity.
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What You'll Learn
- Godalming, Surrey, England: The world's first public electricity grid and street lighting
- San Jose, Costa Rica: Illuminated by electric lighting in 1884
- New York City, USA: Electrified two years before Costa Rica
- Fort William, Scotland: The first town in Britain to be lit by electricity
- Buffalo, New York: AC generators installed to transmit electricity over long distances
Godalming, Surrey, England: The world's first public electricity grid and street lighting
In 1881, the world's first public electricity supply started in Godalming, Surrey, England. The electricity was generated by a waterwheel installed at the Salgasson Mill or Westbrook Mill, on the River Wey. This installation powered the world's first public electricity grid and street lighting in central Godalming.
The Godalming plant has a strong claim to being the world's first public grid and first electric street lighting. The town's authorities decided to rely entirely on electricity for lighting the public streets, a move that was considered a "`risky experiment'" by many residents. The experiment excited widespread interest, and other towns soon followed Godalming's lead, with larger installations at Chesterfield and Norwich.
The Surrey Advertiser reported on September 26, 1881, that the upper portion of the Borough of Godalming was lighted by electricity for a few hours as an experiment and continued each night thereafter. The power to generate the current came from an auxiliary face water-wheel at the Westbrook Mills, owned by the Pullman Brothers, who were skin dressers. They used the electricity to light their mills with Swan lights, and for the larger open spaces, they used Siemens' differential lamps of 300 candle-power each.
However, the triumph of electricity in Godalming was short-lived. While the larger lamps gave "fair satisfaction," the smaller ones were considered a disappointment, leaving the streets leading out of the town in near total darkness. Despite attempts to improve the situation, the town reverted to gas lighting in 1884 as the providers failed to secure a contract to continue lighting the town.
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San Jose, Costa Rica: Illuminated by electric lighting in 1884
On the night of August 9, 1884, San Jose in Costa Rica became one of the first cities in the world to be illuminated with electric lighting. The electrical service was inaugurated at 6:15 p.m., with President Próspero Fernández appearing on the balcony of the Presidential Palace to address curious crowds who had gathered from Alajuela, Cartago, and Heredia to witness this historic moment. The plant, located in Barrio Aranjuez, generated 50 kilowatts of power, illuminating 25 charcoal lamps and marking a significant step towards modernity for the country.
Prior to the introduction of electricity, San José in the 1880s relied on canfin (kerosene) for lighting. Municipalities had to hire workers to manually light the streetlights each evening. The city was relatively small at the time, serving as the capital of a province with a population of around 50,000 people. However, the adoption of electric lighting placed San José at the forefront of electrical technology and symbolized progress.
The power plant in San José was inspired by Thomas Edison's Pearl Street power plant in New York. Costa Rica electrified just two years after lights were turned on in New York City, and it is believed to be the third city in the world to do so, following New York and Paris. However, some claim that it was the first city in Latin America to achieve this feat, showcasing its early adoption of modern technology.
The inauguration of electric lighting in San José was a memorable event, with enthusiastic crowds gathering to witness the transition from natural light to artificial illumination. The moment was described as an "obligatory pilgrimage site" by Alberto Quijano in his 1940 book, capturing the significance and curiosity surrounding the introduction of electricity to the city.
Today, Costa Rica continues to be a leader in renewable energy. It has powered its electric grid with almost entirely renewable energy for six consecutive years, utilizing solar energy, rivers, and wind to generate electricity. The country is also known for its biodiversity, housing 7% of the world's non-marine mammal species.
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New York City, USA: Electrified two years before Costa Rica
New York City, USA, was electrified two years before Costa Rica. While the exact date of New York City's electrification is unknown, it is believed to have occurred around the same time as other early electrified cities, such as Appleton, Wisconsin (1882) and Lichterfelde, Germany (1881).
The electrification of New York City was a significant milestone in the history of electricity. It marked the beginning of widespread access to electric power in one of the largest and most influential cities in the United States. The process of electrifying New York City was likely a gradual one, with power being transmitted first to industrial and commercial areas and then to residential neighbourhoods.
At the time, electricity was primarily generated by coal-fired power plants and distributed through a network of power lines and transformers. The introduction of electric lighting replaced the use of kerosene lamps and gaslights, providing a brighter and more reliable source of illumination.
New York City's electrification had a profound impact on the city's development. It enabled the establishment of new industries and businesses, improved transportation systems, and transformed the way people lived and worked. The availability of electricity also led to the introduction of new technologies and innovations, such as electric appliances, trams, and streetlights.
In contrast, Costa Rica began electrifying its capital, San José, in 1884, just two years after New York City. This early adoption of electricity is a source of national pride for Costa Ricans. San José became one of the first cities in Latin America to be illuminated with electric lighting, marking a significant step forward in the country's development.
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Fort William, Scotland: The first town in Britain to be lit by electricity
The small town of Fort William in the Scottish Highlands has a unique claim to fame: it was the first town in Britain to be lit by electricity generated by its own water power.
In 1896, the Fort William Electric Lighting Company tapped into the Kiachnish River with a hydro scheme, harnessing the power of water to bring electricity to the town. This feat of engineering not only provided lighting to the streets of Fort William but also powered an aluminium works, with water conveyed through a 15-mile tunnel beneath Ben Nevis, Britain's tallest mountain.
While Fort William may have been the first town in Britain to be fully lit by hydroelectricity, it was not the first in the world. That honour is claimed by several cities, including San Jose in Costa Rica, which became the first city in Latin America to be illuminated with electric lighting in 1884. Just two years later, Costa Rica electrified, closely followed by New York City.
The race to electrify cities began with the introduction of public grids and street lighting. The Godalming plant in Surrey, England, is often credited as the world's first public grid, operational in 1881. However, some sources suggest that Buffalo, with its AC generators at Niagara Falls, implemented long-distance electricity transmission before Godalming.
Fort William's distinction as the first town in Britain to be lit by electricity remains a notable achievement, showcasing the early adoption of hydroelectric power and contributing to the town's rich history.
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Buffalo, New York: AC generators installed to transmit electricity over long distances
The world took a giant leap towards modernisation when electricity was first transmitted over long distances to Buffalo, New York, in 1896. The city earned the nickname "City of Light" due to its widespread electric streetlights. The power was transmitted from the Niagara Falls Power Company plant, which was built in 1895. The plant was designed by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse and was the first hydroelectric power plant in Niagara Falls.
On November 16, 1896, Tesla flipped the switch, and Buffalo became the first electrified city in the world. The power transmission helped light up the city's streets and power its streetcars. The success of this project led to the expansion of power, with the number of generators at Niagara Falls reaching ten within a few years.
The electrification of Buffalo was a significant milestone in the history of electricity. It demonstrated the versatility and potential of alternating current (AC) systems, which had been the subject of debate during the “Battle of the Currents” between proponents of direct current, like Thomas Edison, and supporters of alternating current, like Westinghouse.
The success of the Buffalo project helped dispel fears about high voltages and showcased the advantages of AC systems. This led to the widespread adoption of Tesla's innovations, and soon, cities like New York were electrified, with Broadway ablaze in lights and the subway system rumbling to life.
The achievements of Nikola Tesla in bringing electricity to Buffalo have been honoured with statues and exhibits in the city, recognising his contributions to the modernisation of Buffalo and the world.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on how you define "electrified". If you consider a "public grid" with street lighting, then Godalming, Surrey, England, could be considered the first city to get electricity.
The Godalming public generator and its network became operational in 1881 and is considered the world's first public "grid" and the first electric street lighting.
San José, Costa Rica, became one of the first cities in the world and the first in Latin America to be illuminated with electric lighting in 1884.
London was likely one of the first cities to have electricity in people's homes, along with Paris and New York.
In the US, New York City got electricity in 1882, and Fort William, Britain, got it in 1896.
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