Electricity is the most important energy source on earth. Although the use of electricity is the result of much research and years of development, the invention is attributed to prominent American scientist Thomas Alva Edison, since he managed to illuminate an incandescent light bulb with energy. The scientist was the first to generate electric light durably and safely. He succeeded in passing a long-lasting electric current through an incandescent carbon filament. This filament was housed in a glass bell, which efficiently extended the illumination, thus illuminating streets and houses.
On September 4 in 1882, the first electrical lighting in New York city signaled a new era of urban illumination. At 3:00 pm on this day, the American city was illuminated by electric lights for the first time in the world. Pearl Street Station was operated by Thomas Alva Edison and his Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York. This station provided the first electric light to Wall Street financiers and the reporters of newspaper New York Times.
Edison created a commercially viable electric light bulb in 1879. The light bulb became useless without the electricity to power it. A few months later, the scientist set up the Edison Electric Illuminating Company. In 1881, he demonstrated in London how surrounding buildings could be lit up from a single location. But it was not until 1882, that the first purpose-built power station was constructed in New York city. Everything was in place. On September 4 in 1882, Edison strolled down to the offices of JP Morgan, located half a mile away on Wall Street. At 3:00 pm sharp, an engineer at the station cut the circuit breaker, and Edison flipped the switch on Wall Street. For the first time, it was possible to switch from gas-powered lighting to electrical. By the end of the month, a total of 59 customers were enjoying artificial light. By the end of the year, that number had grown to 513.
Edison’s electric company took out a procession for the 1884 presidential elections. Several hundred people marched down the road wearing helmets, each topped with a shining light bulb. A horse-drawn generator kept the lights on.
Thomas Alva Edison is one of the most famous and prolific inventors of all time. Born on February 11 in 1847 in Milan of Ohio, he was an American inventor. He developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. He was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of organised science and teamwork to the process of invention, working with many researchers and employees. He established the first industrial research laboratory.
In his 84 years, Edison acquired an astounding 1,093 patents. Aside from being an inventor, he also managed to become a successful manufacturer and businessman, marketing his inventions to the public. Edison married twice and was father of six children. He died in 1931
