Pennsylvania Power & Light Company. Predecessor and subsidiary companies. Edison Electric Illuminating companies.

In the early 1880s Thomas A. Edison began developing central stations to bring incandescent lighting to individual households in several communities in eastern Pennsylvania. The first central station to use the three-wire system and other Edison patents, which made it possible to transmit direct current, was erected in Sunbury, Pa. With it, Edison demonstrated the practicality of providing electricity to small cities and towns and revitalized his waning fortunes.

The success of the Sunbury power plant made it feasible for Edison and his Pennsylvania agent, P. B. Shaw of Williamsport, to license local electric companies. Within a few years, Edison Electric Illuminating Companies were operating in Ashland, Hazleton, Lancaster, Mount Carmel, Pottsville, Shamokin, Harrisburg, Tamaqua, Williamsport and Catasauqua.

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