Electrifying Cities in America
People all over the modern world rely on electricity without even thinking about where it comes from, or what life would be like without it. Messages are sent around the world at the speed of light, making global trade and business faster and easier. Machines powered by electricity make dangerous, strenuous, and boring jobs safer and less time consuming. Electricity saves time and money, and generally makes modern life easier (Canby 7). Until the late 1800s, electricity and electric appliances were scarce. People had to rely on sunlight during the day and gas lamps or candles at night to provide light. Machines were operated by hand cranks, steam engines, animals, or other non-efficient power sources. Workers in factories powered by coal driven steam engines were in constant danger. Businesses were inefficient; factories and offices could only be operated during the day because there was not an efficient way to light them at night. People could only communicate by letter, which was only as fast as the horse or train which carried it. Transportation and storage of food was difficult, because ice was the only way to cool food. Electricity was the key to solving many problems that peopl
The use of AC power for industrial purposes was perfected by Nicola Tesla. By using coils of wire, or transformers, the alternating current could be raised or lowered in voltage in a very convenient manner. This motor and polyphase AC electric power made electricity very efficient and popular for use in factories. He devised a "polyphase" AC system that used an AC generator to produce several interlocked currents. This made it very difficult to transmit to potential customers on farms or suburban areas. Thomas Edison was one of the main players in the field of electricity during the late 1800s. These electrical appliances became popular because they saved people's time and money. He made bulbs with filaments made from platinum, bamboo, carbonized paper, and many other materials (Lewis 95). Edison knew that if the electricity was transmitted at a higher voltage, it would not lose as much of its strength. This new technology would drastically change the way Americans and people all over the world lived (Bushell 44). The generators threw sparks and shook the earth, the meters overcharged people, but his system worked (Burchell 44). By 1900, entire electric kitchens were in existence.
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