Chapter 1. Early Commercialization
John L. Neufeld · 2016
The discoveries and inventions that preceded and accompanied the early commercialization of electricity are discussed, including the development of batteries and generators and both arc and incandescent lighting. Arc lighting was commercialized before incandescent. The requirements of a system providing electricity for incandescent lighting are very different than that required for arc lighting, requiring parallel rather than series circuits and the application of Ohm’s law. Thomas Edison understood the implications of the difference and the consequent requirement for new generators, meters, fuses, wiring technique and the resistance of an incandescent bulb, all of which he did. His competitors and successors in the industry all embraced his system, which remains in use today. Edison’s claim to have invented the incandescent light is debatable; his role as the inventor of the modern electric utility industry is not.