An Electric Revolution, Chapter Three: The Edison Paradox
During the last decades of the 19th century, America’s emerging electrical infrastructure was up for grabs. Thomas Alva Edison put his inventions and investments behind direct current (DC) technology, a form of electricity that at the time required the generation source to be near the consumers, a model of distributed power. The other competitor was alternating current, or AC, which used centralized power plants and with high voltages pushed electricity through wires over much longer distances. The choice between the two was called “the War of the Currents.”
The nation’s greatest inventor held an amazing 1,093 patents, including the invention of the phonograph, a motion picture camera and, of course, the electric light bulb. Many of Edison’s ideas revolved around connections between seemingly unrelated materials and purposes. Even as he worked on many versions of the incandescent lamp, he also was considering an entire system that would illuminate the room and more. “The same wire that brings the light will also bring power and heat,” he stated. “With the power you can run an elevator, a sewing machine, or any mechanical contrivance, and with the heat you may cook your food.” His business model was based on providing innovative consumer services in addition to producing and delivering electricity.
In September of 1882, Edison opened the first American electricity generation station in the heart of Manhattan’s financial and news district. Six coal-fired dynamos supplied direct current to 85 customers, with enough energy to illuminate 400 light bulbs. Each bulb burned whiter, steadier and more cleanly than any gas lamp, giving a fortunate few the first glimpse into the 20th century.
