Electrifying Manhattan

American Experience | PBS

27 Jan 201502:59

Summary

TLDRIn 1881, Thomas Edison shifted his focus from Meno Park to New York, where he set up a Brownstone as a showcase and headquarters for his electric light company. Despite facing challenges in designing the world's first electrical power grid, Edison was determined to electrify Lower Manhattan. His team transformed two warehouses into a central power station, equipped with heavy machinery and a vast network of copper conductors beneath the streets. Edison's ambitious plan involved convincing city officials, overseeing mass production of components, and managing financial backers, all while ensuring a simple, switch-based electricity supply to homes and businesses.

Takeaways

🛠️ In 1881, Thomas Edison shifted his focus from Meno Park to New York, where he set up an operations base in a brownstone on 5th Avenue.
🏢 The brownstone was equipped with 200 lamps, serving as both a showcase and headquarters for the Edison Electric Light Company.
⏳ Edison's promise to electrify Lower Manhattan had been delayed for over two years due to the complexities of creating the world's first electrical power grid.
💡 Edison was committed to the practical production and full realization of the light bulb, viewing it as a business venture requiring a significant return on investment.
🏭 Edison's Central Power Station in Manhattan's Financial District was to be housed in two warehouses, featuring steam engine dynamo sets and testing facilities.
🚧 Over 80,000 feet of copper conductors were laid under the streets to supply electricity to a mile-square area, including homes and businesses.
🏗️ Edison faced the challenge of convincing New York City officials to allow the running of electric current underground before he could begin construction.
🔧 Mass production of lamps, meters, and other system components was necessary, with Edison overseeing the factories to ensure production.
👨‍💼 Edison had to juggle multiple roles, including administrator, manufacturer, and salesman, to manage the project's vast scope.
💰 The 'money men,' as Edison called them, provided a constant distraction as he sought to secure funding and maintain investor interest.

Q & A

When did Edison leave Meno Park to work on the electric light project?
-Edison left Meno Park in February 1881 to work on the electric light project.
What was the location of Edison's Brownstone in New York?
-Edison's Brownstone was located at 65 Fifth Avenue in New York.
How many lamps were wired in Edison's Brownstone?
-Edison's Brownstone was wired with approximately 200 lamps.
What was the purpose of the Brownstone at 65 Fifth Avenue?
-The Brownstone served as both a showplace and headquarters for the Edison Electric Light Company.
What was the main challenge Edison's team faced in electrifying Lower Manhattan?
-The main challenge was designing the world's first electrical power grid.
Where did Edison's family reside while he worked on the electric light project?
-Edison's family resided in a suite of rooms in a nearby hotel.
What was the significance of the Pearl Street location for Edison's project?
-Pearl Street in the Financial District was chosen as the site for Edison's Central Power Station, which was central to his plan to electrify Lower Manhattan.
How many steam engine Dynamo sets were installed in Edison's Central Power Station?
-Edison's Central Power Station was equipped with six steam engine Dynamo sets.
What was the weight of each steam engine Dynamo set installed in the Central Power Station?
-Each steam engine Dynamo set weighed approximately 30 tons.
What was the planned area of electricity supply by Edison's project?
-Edison planned to supply electricity to a swath of city blocks, a Mile Square area.
What were some of the roles Edison had to take on for the project?
-Edison had to act as an administrator, manufacturer, and salesman for the project.
What was the term Edison used for the financiers involved in the project?
-Edison referred to the financiers as 'the money men'.

Outlines

00:00

💡 Edison's Electric Light Revolution

In 1881, Thomas Edison left his workbench at Meno Park and focused on his new endeavor in New York. He set up an elegant brownstone at 65 Fifth Avenue, which was equipped with 200 lamps to serve as both a showcase and headquarters for the Edison Electric Light Company. Despite promising to electrify Lower Manhattan over two years prior, Edison's team faced significant challenges in designing the world's first electrical power grid. Edison's residence was in a nearby hotel while he worked tirelessly on the project, which was not just a scientific experiment but a business venture aimed at generating a substantial return on investment. Edison's focus was on the complete realization of the light bulb, and he was involved in every aspect from production to sales. His efforts included convincing New York City officials to allow underground electric current, overseeing mass production of system components, and dealing with financial investors, all while transforming two warehouses into a central power station with steam engine dynamo sets, switchboards, control instruments, and a testing area for lamps.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Edison

Thomas Edison, the central figure in the video, was an American inventor and businessman who developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In the script, Edison is depicted as the driving force behind the electrification of Lower Manhattan, showcasing his role as an inventor and entrepreneur.

💡Meno Park

Meno Park was Edison's first major research laboratory and invention factory located in New Jersey. The script mentions Edison leaving Meno Park to focus on his new venture in New York, indicating a shift in his work from a research and development environment to a more commercial and practical application of his inventions.

💡Electric Light Company

The Edison Electric Light Company was a business venture established by Edison to commercialize his electric lighting system. The script describes how Edison used his Brownstone at 65 Fifth Avenue as a showplace and headquarters for this company, emphasizing the business aspect of his inventions and the transition from pure science to practical application.

💡Electrical Power Grid

An electrical power grid is an interconnected network for electricity delivery from producers to consumers. The script highlights the challenges Edison's team faced in designing the world's first electrical power grid, which was a crucial step in making electric lighting a reality for the public.

💡Central Power Station

Central Power Station refers to a large facility where electricity is generated and then distributed to consumers. In the script, Edison's Central Power Station in Manhattan's Financial District is described as equipped with steam engines and dynamos, which were essential for generating electricity on a large scale.

💡Copper Conductors

Copper conductors are wires used to transmit electricity. The script mentions the laying of nearly 80,000 feet of copper conductors beneath the streets, which was a significant engineering feat at the time and essential for the distribution of electricity to homes and businesses.

💡Lamps

Lamps, in the context of the script, refer to the light bulbs Edison invented. The script describes Edison's Brownstone wired with 200 lamps, serving as a demonstration of the potential of electric lighting and its practical application in everyday life.

💡Switchboards

Switchboards are devices that allow the control and distribution of electrical power. The script mentions switchboards as part of the equipment in Edison's Central Power Station, indicating the need for control mechanisms in the early electrical power systems.

💡Control Instruments

Control instruments are tools used to monitor and manage the operation of machinery or systems. In the script, these instruments are part of the Central Power Station's equipment, showing the complexity of managing an early electrical power system.

💡Mass Production

Mass production refers to the production of large quantities of goods, which is necessary for widespread distribution and use. The script notes that Edison had to oversee the mass production of lamps and meters, highlighting the industrial scale of his invention's commercialization.

💡Capital Investment

Capital investment refers to the funds used to acquire or improve physical assets or to increase the value of a business. The script mentions Edison's need to achieve a significant return on his capital investment, emphasizing the financial risks and rewards associated with his ventures.

Highlights

Edison left Meno Park to focus on electrifying Lower Manhattan.

He set up an elegant Brownstone at 65 Fifth Avenue as a showplace and headquarters.

The Brownstone was wired with 200 lamps to demonstrate the electric light system.

Edison's pledge to electrify Lower Manhattan had been stalled for over two years.

His team faced challenges in designing the world's first electrical power grid.

Edison declared his light was perfected and ready for practical production.

Edison's family was accommodated in a nearby hotel while he worked on the project.

The project was not just scientific but also a significant business venture.

Edison aimed to electrify Pearl Street in Manhattan's Financial District.

Two warehouses were to be transformed into Edison's Central Power Station.

The power station was to be equipped with six steam engine Dynamo sets.

Nearly 80,000 feet of copper conductors were planned to be laid under the streets.

Edison planned to supply electricity to a mile-square area of the city.

The system was designed to provide light to every subscribing home and business with a simple switch.

Edison had to solve a multitude of different problems for the project's success.

New York City officials had to be convinced about the safety of underground electric current.

Edison had to oversee the mass production of lamps, meters, and other system components.

He had to juggle multiple roles including administrator, manufacturer, and salesman.

Edison referred to the financiers as 'money men' who provided distractions.