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.

The early Edison companies, however, were extremely inefficient. The area to which direct current could be transmitted was extremely limited. During the late 1880s George Westinghouse developed a much more economical alternating current system which could transmit high voltages for several miles. By the late 1890s the Edison companies were at a severe competitive disadvantage. Many of them were forced out of business. Others recognized the need to license the Westinghouse alternating current generator.

From the description of Records 1882-1921. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122503506