Electric+SL-LR

= **THE ELECTRICAL ADVANCE** =

==  **T** **HE BEGINNING** THOMAS EDISON

The electric industry started in 1882 with the Thomas Edison Pearl Street electricity generating station in New York City. Thomas Edison founded this station 1882, and its considered the start of the electrical revolution. Many factors helped the electric industry grow. Factors such as an efficient price of 24 cents per kilowatt hour, a reliable generation of production, and an efficient usage for its time is what help it grow. Why did it grow to a major monopoly in todays world? Well, from 1901 to 1932, a growing economy feed the need for a bigger electric industry. How did it grow? Well, a bigger need in private and municipal need also fed the electric industry growth fire. These developments helped many people enjoy modern comforts.



GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE George Westinghouse also helped fuel the electrical economy. He created the Niagara Falls hydroelectric generator in 1896. This generator supplied electricity to Buffalo, New York, over 20 miles away! This helped fuel the idea of placing generators far from areas the electricity is being supplied to. He also invented a transformer, a device that efficiently transported electricity long distances.

The need for electricity was spreading, and fast. What better way to bring electricity to the rest of the U.S. than to expand the industry? Well, as you already know, Thomas Edison's plant is considered the first power plant to supply electricity to provided electricity to private homes. Two companies, Edison GE and Thomas Houston had merged to create the General Electric Company. Going back to the industry advances, the first hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls in 1896 that was created by George Westinghouse with Edison General Electric and Thomas Houston. The plant provided electricity to Buffalo NY. By 1990, two firms were creating equipment to sell to private-owned power companies for their own use of generating and selling power. By 1932, the government had become involved in the electric industry. They realized the industry had become a major monopoly and wanted a piece of the action. They started working into electricity generation. They owned about half of the hydroelectric resources. The industry had grown into a MAJOR monopoly.
 * [[image:ge-fan-f[1].jpg width="123" height="191" align="left" caption="Early GE fan"]]GROWTH OF INDUSTRY **

Well, as you know, the industry today is a great expansion. Our generation of electricity has improved significantly. This is because as you know, our electricity demands and needs have increased dramatically over the last 100 years. Originally its was a private utility. But now, it is a part of everyones everyday life. The sale of electricity is monitored by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
 * THE INDUSTRY TODAY **

QUESTIONS

1) WHAT WAS THE FIRST PRICE OF ELECTRICITY PER KILOWATT HOUR? 2)HOW DID THE NEED FOR ELECTRICITY GROW? 3)WHY DID THE INDUSTRY EXPAND? 4)WHY DO YOU THINK EDISON GE AND THOMAS HOUSTON MERGED INTO GENERAL ELECTRIC? 5) HOW LONG HAS THE ELECTRIC INDUSTRY BEEN AROUND?

RESOURCES: http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/electric_kid/append_a.html http://www.pearlstreetinc.com/edison.htm http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/chg_stru_update/appa.html http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blwestinghouse.htm http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O119-ElectricalIndustry.html http://www.answers.com/topic/electric-power-and-light-industry http://www.solarnavigator.net/history/archaeology_and_electricity_generation.htm []

PICTURE SOURCES: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=thomas+edison&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10 http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=Thomas%20Edison%20Pearl%20Street%20electricity%20generating%20s http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=george+westinghouse&gbv=2&aq=0&oq=george+we&aqi=g10 [] http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=cartoon+lightning+bolt&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g3 http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&q=modern+electricity&sa=N&start=90&ndsp=18