 Contested
Currents
The Race to Electrify America
The
Race Heats Up
On
September 4th, 1882, Edison switched
on the world's first DC
electrical power distribution system, providing 110 volts direct
current (DC) to 59 customers in lower Manhattan, around his
Pearl Street laboratory.
  In 1886, Westinghouse and
William Stanley installed the first
multiple-voltage AC power system in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
The network was driven by a hydropower generator that produced
500 volts AC. Using transformers, the voltage was stepped up to
3,000 volts for transmission, and then stepped back down to 100
volts where it was to be used. By transmitting his AC power at
a high voltage, Westinghouse's AC power was a much more cost effective
than Edison's low voltage DC power.
In
1886, Westinghouse formed
the "Westinghouse
Electric & Manufacturing Company", to sell his
AC power system.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Both
Westinghouse and Edison knew the incredible potential of electricity
and wanted the power to control its distribution.
- What
would you do if you were Westinghouse or Edison in this situation?
- What
should scientists and business leaders do with new technologies?
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