Electrifying America : Social Meanings of a New Technology – Book review

Commonly taken for granted in today’s society, a century ago the electrification of modern lighting and home and industrial activities was cutting edge technology. Other than those brief periods when an ice storm or summer thundershower disrupts service, few tend to remember how extensive and relatively recent the changes in our lives that electricity has provided.

David Nye, in his book


In the early days the illumination of government buildings by electrical devices was a major public event, and was celebrated as such as cities competed with each other in installing this modern industrial convenience. Early industry participants battled over the use of direct versus alternating current in the grid. The advantages and disadvantages of both created a major conflict among both the providers and consumers