Electrification of American Industry (1880–1920)

1. Pearl Street Station starts central-station power

   Sep 4, 1882Labels: Pearl Street, Thomas Edison

   • Pearl Street

2. National Electric Light Association is founded

   Jan 1, 1885Labels: National Electric, electric utilities

   • NELA

3. AC transformer system proves practical at Great Barrington

   Jan 1, 1886Labels: Great Barrington, AC transformer

   • Great Barrington

4. Tesla’s AC motor patents strengthen industrial AC

   Jan 1, 1888Labels: Nikola Tesla, AC motor

   • Tesla Motor

5. First electric chair execution highlights power politics

   Aug 6, 1890Labels: electric chair, War of

   • History com

6. General Electric forms through major merger

   Jan 1, 1892Labels: General Electric, Edison General

   • GE History
   • Thomson Houston

7. Chicago World’s Fair showcases large-scale AC lighting

   May 1, 1893Labels: Chicago World, AC lighting

   • Current War

8. Adams Hydroelectric Plant begins operation at Niagara Falls

   Aug 26, 1895Labels: Adams Hydroelectric, Niagara Falls

   • IEEE ETHW
   • Smithsonian

9. NFPA is founded, enabling organized safety standards work

   Nov 6, 1896Labels: National Fire, NFPA

   • NFPA

10. Niagara power is transmitted to Buffalo

    Nov 16, 1896Labels: Niagara to, long-distance line

    • Hagley

11. First National Electrical Code is published

    Jan 1, 1897Labels: National Electrical, NEC

    • NEC

12. Scientific management encourages measurement and power-system upgrades

    Jan 1, 1911Labels: Frederick W, scientific management

    • LoC Taylor

13. Factory power shifts strongly toward electricity by 1920

    Jan 1, 1920Labels: electrification of, manufacturing

    • EEH 2025