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History

We hope that through the contributions of others, this page will eventually tell the story of EUA. If you know anything about the history of EUA, Eastern Edison, Blackstone Valley Electric, or Newport Electric, or if you have old photographs that might be of interest to our members, please contact us. With your help we can piece together the past.

E-Mail your information and/or photos to:  admin@euaalumni.org
 

In the Beginning
On October 5th, 1878, Thomas Edison sent this wire transmission to his European financial representative:Thomas Edison

The electric light is going to be a great success. I have something entirely new. Wm. H. Vanderbilt and friends have taken it in this country and on Monday next advance $50,000 to conduct experiments.
       I retain ½ of the capital stock of the Co. they are to form and also receive a royalty of $30,000 yearly if it proves more economical than gas, which I am certain it will do. Vanderbilt is the largest gas stock owner in America.

Before Michael Faraday created the first generator in 1831, electricity was supplied by batteries. Even prior to inventing the lightbulb, Edison realized that electricity would need to be distributed on a broad scale - through central power systems. In 1880 Edison developed a generator which delivered enough electricity to light a few lamps. The first power station was located on Pearl Street in New York City, home to numerous offices and factories. Edison was also responsible for developing the first underground distribution system - in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Some people protested Edison's distribution system because they felt it was dangerous. In a bizzare incident, a group of protesters electrocuted several dogs in Central Park to demonstrate the danger of electricity. By 1902, twenty years after Edison founded his system for supplying the electricity to light his lamps, the U.S. could boast approximately 3,500 separate distribution systems. Fifteen percent of all American homes were wired for electricity by 1910.




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