Great historical story. Wondering if we are on the cusp of another energy crisis that will cause a revolution in power industry-hopefully for the better.
Nikola Tesla warrants at least a brief mention in conjunction with Westinghouse's development of the AC system. It was Tesla who mastered the engineering of an AC system, first trying and failing to sell it to Edison, and later convincing Westinghouse of its promise.
Fun fact, the workable transformer was invented by William Stanley Jr, chief engineer of George Westinghouse. Stanley went on to form Stanley Electric, which was purchased by GE in 1903. The transformer is often incorrectly acreadited to Tesla.
Not so sure it's "incorrectly accredited" to Tesla. Seems more like Stanley does not get enough credit--even here I had to condense the history of the technology's development (apologies to Stanley!).
However, Jill Jonnes's Empires of Light does do a nice job of tracing this history and giving Stanley his richly deserved flowers.
In my collection I have "Men and Volts, The History of General Electric" by John Winthrop Hammond, and "Light for the World, Edison and the Power Industry" by Robert Silverberg. Both excellent books
Great read. I lived in Chicago for 30 years, and for 20 of those in a house designed and built by Howard Van Doren Shaw, also the architect of the Fisk Street Station, which still stands. Lots of history in that still very young city.
Thanks for giving a bit of publicity to the father of the grid, probably the most vilified hero of our energy history.
I really think we need to push "The Gridfather"
Love that!
Very interesting and informative article. I am looking forward to reading the rest.
Thank you!
Great historical story. Wondering if we are on the cusp of another energy crisis that will cause a revolution in power industry-hopefully for the better.
Nikola Tesla warrants at least a brief mention in conjunction with Westinghouse's development of the AC system. It was Tesla who mastered the engineering of an AC system, first trying and failing to sell it to Edison, and later convincing Westinghouse of its promise.
A casualty of the editing process!
Just couldn't get that part right without messing up the flow. Though certainly Tesla receives his well deserved flowers elsewhere.
Hadn't heard about Insull. Truly a badass of history.
Beautifully written and captivating!
Thank you!!
Thanks for the deep dive of the history of electrcity. Superb piece.
Fun fact, the workable transformer was invented by William Stanley Jr, chief engineer of George Westinghouse. Stanley went on to form Stanley Electric, which was purchased by GE in 1903. The transformer is often incorrectly acreadited to Tesla.
Not so sure it's "incorrectly accredited" to Tesla. Seems more like Stanley does not get enough credit--even here I had to condense the history of the technology's development (apologies to Stanley!).
However, Jill Jonnes's Empires of Light does do a nice job of tracing this history and giving Stanley his richly deserved flowers.
In my collection I have "Men and Volts, The History of General Electric" by John Winthrop Hammond, and "Light for the World, Edison and the Power Industry" by Robert Silverberg. Both excellent books
Great read. I lived in Chicago for 30 years, and for 20 of those in a house designed and built by Howard Van Doren Shaw, also the architect of the Fisk Street Station, which still stands. Lots of history in that still very young city.
American history, technological history, and great "character building" all in one. Who needs historical fiction when historical fact is so engaging?
I’m hoping this turns into a book!