California Electric Light CompanyIn 1879, the first U.S. electricity production central station, the California Electric Light Company, filed articles of incorporation in San Francisco, with a capital of $5,000,000. The entrepreneurs at first had in mind to use the obscure Titzell system, but instead settled on Brush equipment. Within three months, by Sep 1879, it had a central generating station supplying power for lighting Brush arc light lamps. It was a small, rather makeshift operation with a boiler to power a steam engine driving two dynamos. It provided enough electricity for just 21 lamps, which were rented to nearby shops and hotels for $10 weekly. It was not until 1882 that Thomas Edison had his New York City central station in production. Meanwhile most profits of the C.E.L. Co. came from installing more public and private plants.« |
