Electric store lightingIn 1878, the first electric lighting in an American store was installed, using eight dynamos to run 28 Brush arc lamps* at John Wanamaker's extensive “Grand Depot” department store, Philadelphia, Pa. In 1875, he had bought the Pennsylvania Railroad depot for $500,000 and converted it into his innovative Grand Depot department store. The lamps had two sets of electrodes working alternately to lengthen the operating period. (patented by the maker, Charles F. Brush, on 2 Sep 1879, U.S. patent No. 219,208). The arc lamps gave a steadier light, but gas-lighting was retained as back-up. By 1888, Wanamaker had 355 arc lamps and 80 incandescent lamps*. He followed electric lights with ventilation fans. The electric displays drew customers.« |
