The History of Electricity

1752
 By tying a key onto a kite string during a storm, Ben Franklin, proved that static
electricity and lightning were the same. His correct understanding of the nature of
electricity paved the way for the future.

1800
 First electric battery invented by Alessandro Volta. The “volt” is named in his
honor.

1808
 Humphry Davy invented the first effective “arc lamp.” The arc lamp was a piece
of carbon that glowed when attached to a battery by wires.

1820
 Separate experiments by Hans Christian Oersted, A.M. Ampere, and D.F.G. Arago
confirmed the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

1821
 The first electric motor was invented by Michael Faraday.

1826
 Georg Ohm defined the relationship between power, voltage, current and
resistance in “Ohms Law.”

1831
 Using his invention the induction ring, Michael Faraday proved that electricity can
be induced (made) by changes in an electromagnetic field. Faraday’s experiments
about how electric current works, led to the understanding of electrical
transformers and motors
 Joseph Henry separately discovered the principle of electromagnetic induction but
didn’t publish his work. He also described an electric motor.

1832
 Using Faraday’s principles, Hippolyte Pixii built the first “dynamo,” an electric
generator capable of delivering power for industry. Pixxi’s dynamo used a crank
to rotate a magnet around a piece of iron wrapped with wire. Because this devise
used a coil of wire, it produced spikes of electric current followed by no current.

1835
 Joseph Henry invented the electrical relay, used to send electrical currents long
distances.

1837
 Thomas Davenport invented the electric motor, an invention that is used in most
electrical appliances today.
1839
 Sir William Robert Grove developed the first fuel cell, a device that produces
electrical energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen.

1841
 James Prescott Joule showed that energy is conserved in electrical circuits
involving current flow, thermal heating, and chemical transformations. A unit of
thermal energy, the Joule, was named after him.

1844
 Samuel Morse invented the electric telegraph, a machine that could send messages
long distances across wire.

1860’s
 Mathematical theory of electromagnetic fields published. J.C. Maxwell created a
new era of physics when he unified magnetism, electricity and light. Maxwell’s
four laws of electrodynamics (“Maxwell’s Equations”) eventually led to electric
power, radios, and television.

1876
 Charles Brush invented the “open coil” dynamo (or generator) that could produce
a study current of electricity.

1878
 Joseph Swan, and Englishman, invented the first incandescent light bulb (also
called an “electric lamp”). His light bulb burned out quickly.
 Charles Brush developed an arc lamp that could be powered by a generator.
 Thomas Edison founded the Edison Electric Light Co. (US), in New York City.
He bought a number of patents related to electric lighting and began experiments
to develop a practical, long-lasting light bulb.

1879
 After many experiments, Thomas Edison invented an incandescent light bulb that
could be used for about 40 hours without burning out. By 1880 his bulbs could be
used for 1200 hours.

1879
 Electric lights (Brush arc lamps) were first used for public street lighting, in
Cleveland, Ohio.
 California Electric Light Company, Inc. in San Francisco was the first electric
company to sell electricity to customers. The company used two small Brush
generators to power 21 Brush arc light lamps.

1881
 The electric streetcar was invented by E.W. v. Siemens
1882
 Thomas Edison opened the Pearl Street Power Station in New York City. The
Pearl Street Station was one of the world’s first central electric power plants and
could power 5,000 lights. The Pearl Street Station was a direct current (DC) power
system, unlike the power systems that we use today which use alternating current
(AC).
 The first hydroelectric station opened in Wisconsin.
 Edward Johnson first put electric lights on a Christmas tree.

1883
 Nikola Tesla invented the “Tesla coil”, a transformer that changes electricity from
low voltage to high voltage making it easier to transport over long distances. The
transformer was an important part of Tesla’s alternating current (AC) system, still
used to deliver electricity today.

1884
 Nikola Tesla invented the electric alternator, an electric generator that produces
alternating current (AC). Until this time electricity had been generated using direct
current (DC) from batteries.
 AC electrical systems are better for sending electricity over long distances.
 Steam turbine generator, capable of generating huge amounts of electricity, was
invented by Sir Charles Algernon Parsons.

1886
 William Stanley developed the induction coil transformer and an alternating
current electric system.

1888
 Nikola Tesla demonstrated the first “polyphase” alternating current (AC) electrical
system. His AC system including everything needed for electricity production and
use: generator, transformers, transmission system, motor (used in appliances) and
lights.
 George Westinghouse, the head of Westinghouse Electric Company, bought the
patent rights to the AC system
 The first use of a large windmill to generate electricity was built by inventor
Charles Brush. He used the windmill to charge batteries in the cellar of his home
in Cleveland, Ohio.

1893
 The Westinghouse Electric Company used an alternating current (AC) system to
light the Chicago World’s Fair.
 A 22 mile AC power line was opened, sending electricity from Folsom
Powerhouse in California to Sacramento.

1896
 An AC power line that transmits power 20 miles from Niagra Falls to Buffalo,
New York was opened.
1897
 Electron discovered by Joseph John Thomson.

1900
 Highest voltage transmission line 60 Kilovolt.

1901
 First power line between USA and Canada at Niagra Falls.

1902
 5-Megawatt turbine for Fisk St. Station (Chicago).

1903
 First successful gas turbine (France). World’s first all turbine station (Chicago).
Shawinigan Water & Power installs world’s largest generator (5,000 watts) and
world’s largest and highest voltage line — 136 km and 50 kilovolts (to Montreal).

1908
 Electric vacuum cleaner – J. Spangler. Electric washing machine – A. Fisher

1909
 First pumped storage plant (Switzerland).

1911
 Electric air conditioning – W. Carrier.

1913
 T. Murray created the first air pollution control device, the “cinder catcher.”
Electric refrigerator – A. Goss.

1920
 Federal Power Commission (FPC).

1921
 Lakeside Power Plant in Wisconsin becomes the world’s first power plant to burn
only pulverized coal.

1922
 Connecticut Valley Power Exchange (CONVEX) starts, pioneering
interconnection between utilities.

1923
 Photoelectric cells were discovered.

1928
 Construction of Boulder Dam begins. Federal trade Commission begins
investigation of holding companies.
1933
 Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) established.

1935
 Public Utility Holding Company Act
 Federal Power Act
 Securities and Exchange Commission
 Bonneville Power Administration
 First night baseball game in major leagues (Red vs. Phillies) was played in Ohio
on May 24th.

1936
 Highest steam temperature reaches 900 degrees Fahrenheit vs. 600 degrees
Fahrenheit in early 1920s.
 Boulder (Hoover) Dam was completed.
 A 287 kilovolt power line stretched 266 miles to Boulder (Hoover) Dam.
 Rural Electrification Act

1947
 Transistor invented by scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories

1953
 First 345 kilovolt transmission line.
 First nuclear power station ordered in England.

1954
 World’s first nuclear power plant (Russia) started generating electricity.
 First high voltage direct current (HVDC) line (20 megawatts/1900 kilovolts, 96
km).
 Atomic Energy Act of 1954 allows private ownership of nuclear reactors.

1957
 Shipping port Reactor in Pennsylvania was the first nuclear power plant to provide
electricity to customers in the U.S.