Beatrice Lang
Chicago's history with electric lighting is a long and fascinating one. The city's first hundred-odd gaslights were lit on September 4, 1850, marking the beginning of a social revolution. While electric lights were common by 1909, Chicago's first city-owned electric light plant was established in 1888, with four such plants in operation by 1893. The city's streets were slowly lit up, with the progress of electric street lighting continuing well into the 1920s and 1930s. Chicago's World Fair in 1893, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, was a pivotal moment in the history of electric lighting in the city and the world. It was the first fully electrically powered fair, showcasing the power of alternating current (AC) over direct current (DC) and solidifying AC as the standard for powering towns, cities, and nations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 4, 1850 |
| Type of Lights | Gaslights |
| Number of Lights | 100-odd |
| Street | State Street |
| People Involved | Elmer Stevens, David Mayer, Carl Zersen, President Eisenhower |
| Type of Technology | Radio control |
| Features | Radio receiver in the base of each of the 70 poles; four fluorescent lamps on each 36-foot-high pole |
| Comparison with Previous Lights | Four times brighter than the 1926 fixtures |
| Other Events | Pageant titled "Light thru the Ages"; seven high school bands performing |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago's first gaslights were lit in 1850
On September 4, 1850, Chicago's first gaslights were illuminated, marking a new era in the city's development. The gaslights were described as "brilliant torches" that flickered in the wind, providing a stark contrast to the darkness of the surrounding countryside. This new form of lighting had a transformative effect on the city, making it possible for industry to operate around the clock and improving visibility on the streets.
The adoption of gaslights in Chicago was part of a broader trend in urban development during the 19th century. Gas lighting had first been introduced in the United States in 1816, with Baltimore becoming the first city to adopt this technology in that same year. However, the infrastructure required for piped gas networks took time to establish, with New York, Philadelphia, and Boston building these networks by 1835.
By the time gaslights arrived in Chicago in 1850, the technology had already undergone significant advancements. The gas was manufactured from coal, which was distilled in large ovens, and the resulting coke byproduct was used in steelmaking. The gas company in Chicago quickly found investors and expanded its network, laying pipes and installing meters, tanks, and pipes.
While the gaslights of 1850 were a major improvement over oil lamps, they would eventually be replaced by electric lighting. The first public demonstration of outdoor electrical lighting in the US took place in 1879, and by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chicago began using arc lamps for street lighting. Electric lights became common by 1909, offering a brighter and more efficient form of illumination. However, the transition from gas to electric lighting was gradual, with some neighbourhoods still relying on gas lamps even as electric lights became more prevalent.
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Electric street lighting was slow to progress in Chicago
In the late 19th century, Chicago played a pivotal role in the evolution of street lighting. The city hosted the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, from May 1 to October 9, 1893. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of electric lighting. Tesla, in collaboration with George Westinghouse, secured the contract to electrify the fair, showcasing the potential of alternating current (AC). On the opening day, President Grover Cleveland ignited 100,000 incandescent lamps with the press of a single button, creating a breathtaking display that left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it. Chicago earned the moniker \"The White City\" due to the stunning visual impact of the illuminated fairgrounds.
However, despite this grand display of electric lighting, the transition to electric street lighting in Chicago was gradual. The first public demonstration of outdoor electrical lighting in the US occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 29, 1879, by inventor Charles F. Brush. Wabash, Indiana, became the first town in the world generally lighted by electricity on March 31, 1880, using the Brush arc lighting system. Chicago established its first city-owned electric light plant in 1888, and by 1893, the city had four such plants in operation. Yet, even in the early 20th century, Chicagoans were still voting on bond issues to fund the replacement of gas lamps with electric equipment in certain neighbourhoods.
The slow progress of electric street lighting in Chicago can be attributed to various factors, including the high cost of transitioning to electric infrastructure and the competition between different lighting technologies, such as the battle between AC and direct current (DC) systems. Additionally, gaslights were deeply entrenched in the city, with consumers initially sticking to old gaslight fixtures and the city continuing to demand illuminating gas even into the early 1900s.
It wasn't until the 1920s that significant strides were made towards electric street lighting in Chicago. In 1926, State Street in downtown Chicago became the brightest avenue in the world, utilising a radio-controlled lighting system. This new system, controlled by radio signals from a central control centre, marked a significant upgrade in both the brightness and convenience of street lighting. While Chicago continued to face challenges and make choices regarding lighting technologies, the transformation of State Street into a beacon of electric lighting symbolised the city's gradual but determined progress towards embracing electric street lighting.
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The 1893 World's Fair was the first electrically-powered fair
The 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, was a groundbreaking event for its time. It was the first electrically-powered fair in the world, showcasing the potential of electric lighting on a grand scale. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of electricity and had a lasting impact on the world of lighting and power.
The fair, which ran from May 1st to October 9th, 1893, featured an astonishing display of over 200,000 light bulbs, all of which were created by the Westinghouse Corporation specifically for this event. On the opening day, President Grover Cleveland ignited 100,000 incandescent lamps with the push of a single button, creating a dazzling spectacle that author Erik Larson likened to "a sudden vision of Heaven."
The lighting of the fair was the result of a competition between two rival companies: Edison and J.P. Morgan's General Electric Company, and Tesla and George Westinghouse's team. Edison and Morgan initially bid $1.8 million to power the fair but reduced the price to $554,000. However, they were outbid by Tesla and Westinghouse, who offered to illuminate the fair for just $399,000. This contract was a pivotal moment in the "war of currents," as it demonstrated the superiority of alternating current (AC) over direct current (DC) in powering large-scale events and cities.
The fair consumed three times more electricity than the entire city of Chicago, showcasing the immense potential of electric power. The lights laced every building and walkway, creating a breathtaking display that visitors adored. The White City, as Chicago became known, shone with the beauty of its white buildings accented by the glow of countless lights. This event marked a turning point in the public's perception of electricity and its potential to transform cities and power them into the future.
The 1893 World's Fair was not just a showcase of innovation but also a pivotal moment in the history of electricity and lighting. It demonstrated the power of alternating current and the potential for electric lighting to become the standard for cities worldwide. The fair illuminated Chicago and sparked a revolution in the way people imagined and experienced urban spaces after dusk.
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Chicago became known as the White City and the City of Lights
Chicago's history with lighting goes back to 1850 when the city turned on its first gaslights. Gaslights were brighter and more reliable than oil lamps, and they were cheaper too. However, by today's standards, these lights were "distinctly yellow and not very bright". Electric lighting was introduced in the 1890s, but consumers largely stuck to gaslights.
In 1893, Chicago hosted the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair. This event was a major turning point in the city's history with lighting. Edison and JP Morgan of General Electric Company initially bid to power the fair with Direct Current (DC) for $1.8 million. However, they were outbid by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, who offered to power the fair with Alternating Current (AC) for just $399,000. On the opening day, President Grover Cleveland ignited 100,000 incandescent lamps with the press of a single button. This stunning display of technology, with 200,000 light bulbs, earned Chicago the nickname "The White City". The fair consumed three times more electricity than the entire city of Chicago.
The Chicago World's Fair was a pivotal moment in the history of lighting technology. It demonstrated the superiority of AC over DC, and within a few years, AC power became the standard for 80% of the country and most of the world. The fair also marked a shift towards electric lighting in Chicago. By 1893, the city had four electric light plants in operation, and it was on its way to becoming the best-lighted large city in the world.
In the following decades, Chicago continued to innovate with lighting. In 1926, State Street in downtown Chicago became the brightest avenue in the world with a new half-million-dollar lighting system. This system was the first in the world to be controlled by radio, with radio signals turning the lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Chicago's history with lighting, from the early gaslights to the groundbreaking use of AC power and the development of advanced lighting systems, has played a significant role in shaping the city's reputation as a pioneer in illumination.
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State Street became the brightest avenue in the world in 1926
In 1926, State Street became the brightest avenue in the world. This was the culmination of a process that began in 1888, when Chicago established its first city-owned electric light plant, promising "superior illumination on streets and bridges." By 1893, four such plants were in operation, and Chicago was well on its way to becoming the best-lighted large city in the world.
However, progress in electric street lighting was not rapid, and throughout the 1920s and '30s, Chicago residents were voting on bond issues to appropriate money for replacing gas lamps with new electric equipment. The lighting of State Street was a major event, with President Eisenhower activating the lights from 700 miles away in the White House. The new lighting system, controlled by radio, was the first of its kind in the world.
The illumination of State Street was a significant moment in the history of Chicago, marking the latest development in a long history of innovations in street lighting. The city had first lit its gaslights in 1850, and by the 1890s, electric lighting had made its debut, although consumers largely stuck to old gaslights. Chicago played a pivotal role in the "war of currents" between Thomas Edison's Direct Current and Nikola Tesla's Alternating Current, with the latter proving its superiority at the 1893 World's Fair.
The lighting of State Street in 1926 represented a new era of lighting in Chicago, providing a brightly lit street for residents and visitors to enjoy evening promenades. It was a significant milestone in the history of street lighting, showcasing the power of electric lighting and the potential for radio control, which would become a standard feature of street lighting worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicago's World Fair in 1893 was the first time the city was lit with electric lights. Over 100,000 incandescent lightbulbs accented the white buildings of the fair.
The contract to light the fair was won by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, who offered to illuminate the fair for $399,000.
The lighting of the fair demonstrated the superiority of AC current over DC current, which was being pushed by Thomas Edison and his business partner J.P. Morgan.
Author Erik Larson described the sight as “getting a sudden vision of Heaven”. The city became known as “The White City” and “The City of Lights”.
The first hundred-odd gaslights in Chicago were lit on September 4, 1850. By 1909, electric lights were common, but gaslights were still a symbol of everything wrong with modern society.
