Electrical League of Northern Ohio, Inc.

The Electrical League of Northern Ohio, Inc. was founded in 1909 in Cleveland, Ohio. It was incorporated in 1915 as the Electrical League of Cleveland Inc., a non-profit association of electrical companies. Founding members included George E. Miller of the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and J. Robert Crouse of the General Electric Company. Under the leadership of John E. (Jack) North, president from 1923 to 1949, the League's primary function was the promotion of electrical products and services available to consumers through its membership, which included electrical manufacturers, distributors, dealers, contractors, and key Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company employees. Educational programs, meetings, and trade shows sponsored by the League were designed to educate the public on the uses of electricity and to provide technical training and marketing techniques to League members. The League established collateral organizations, including the Electrical Maintenance Engineers Association, the Women's Division, and the Sight Saving Council of Cleveland, in order to bring its educational and promotional programs to targeted groups. By 1949, the League became primarily an industrial organization. In 1958, the League was reorganized as a trade association. Its name was changed in the 1980s to the Electrical League of Northern Ohio, Inc. This collection also contains substantial personal papers of John E. (Jack) North, documenting his career in the electrical industry.

From the description of Electrical League of Northern Ohio, Inc. records, 1909-1983. 1909-1983. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 40666599

The Electrical League of Northern Ohio (f. 1909) was the first trade association for the electrical industry in the United States. Organized in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1909, it was incorporated in 1915 as the Electrical League of Cleveland, Inc., a non-profit association of electrical companies operating in greater Cleveland. Founding members included the League's first president George E. Miller, sales manager of the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI), and J. Robert Crouse of General Electric Company (GE), who also helped form the National Electric Lamp Association (NELA Park). Its program was widely copied, and its members were instrumental in forming the International Association of Electrical Leagues in 1935. It is governed by an elected board of directors who appoint its officers.

At first the League was a social club intended to foster cooperation in the electrical industry. Under the leadership of John E. (Jack) North, president from 1923 to 1949, the League redefined its primary function as sales development. North, director of the residential sales division at CEI, and his staff provided support for league operations. The league promoted the sale of products and services available to the public from its membership, comprised of manufacturers, distributors, dealers, contractors, and key CEI employees. The league benefited from the personnel of CEI, especially of the residential division and sales department, and, in turn, the sale of generated electricity increased from the activities and promotion of league members. League programs and educational efforts were designed for members as well as consumers. Industry meetings on such topics as appliances, wiring, lighting, kitchens, and sales techniques provided technical training and assisted members in marketing products. The league represented the industry locally in matters such as the electrical code and board of review for the city of Cleveland. The league has sponsored the Electrical Expo, the industry's trade show in Cleveland, since 1920. The Electrical League established collateral organizations including the Electrical Maintenance Engineers Association, the Women's Division, and the Sight Saving Council of Cleveland to bring its educational and promotional programs to targeted groups.

The Electrical Maintenance Engineers Association (EMEA) was established by the league in 1924. Its membership was recruited from those employed by an industrial or commercial establishment in supervising, installing, operating or maintaining electrical equipment. Objectives were to encourage career development and training of members, to promote economical application and use of electrical equipment, and to inform members of new developments in the field. The program was carried out at regular monthly meetings, through courses in electronics and allied topics, and by plant inspections to view uses and adaptations in electrical use in factories. Electrical Production Magazine was published by EMEA to publicize new technology and applications to its members.

The league implemented programs to educate the public about the uses of electricity in homes, schools, stores, and industry, and to create consumer demand for electrical appliances and services. League members formed a speaker's bureau to address clubs and civic groups on electricity and related topics. All-electric model kitchens and homes were displayed at league headquarters and at consumer shows since 1921 to demonstrate electrical appliances, lighting, heating, and cooling for prospective home buyers and builders. The league also published pamphlets on electricity and related topics for consumers. Jack North recognized the value of using women to educate other women on the uses of electricity in the home. A corps of women was trained in speech classes to demonstrate and sell small household appliances to housewives and students. These programs were carried out from the 1920s through the 1940s in the showroom at league headquarters, through school programs and home economics classes, and at meetings of women's clubs. The Women's Division was established in 1926 to increase awareness and knowledge of electrical equipment among business women.

The Sight Saving Council of Cleveland (f. 1934) was incorporated by the league in 1935 to gather and disseminate information concerning the preservation of human eyesight. Its publications were distributed through schools and club groups, and emphasized proper electric lighting in homes, schools, and work places. Residential sales promotion after 1949 returned to CEI, and the league became primarily an industrial organization. Its operations and functions were evaluated and redefined in 1958, and the league was reorganized as a trade association. Reflecting business diversity in the region, the name changed in the 1980s to the Electrical League of Northern Ohio. Today its membership is comprised of large electrical and electronics manufacturers, distributors, contractors, architects, engineers, consultants, and utilities. It has become a regional organization, and its aim is to improve and expand the electrical industry and maintain high ethical standards within it. The league is dedicated to education, with emphasis on the safe and efficient use of electrical products and services.

John E. (Jack) North (1884-1953) was president of the Electrical League from 1923 to 1949. He joined the residential division sales force of CEI in 1919, and joined the league in the same year. His leadership transformed the purpose and function of the organization, and introduced many innovations in promotion and marketing for the industry. He was recognized by the industry for his achievements, receiving the McGraw award in 1933, among other honors. He was a founder of the National Association of Electrical Leagues in 1937 and served as its first president. He was transferred to the industrial power division of CEI, and became general sales manager in 1943. He retired in 1949, and served as a consultant until his death. Born in New Carlisle, Ohio, North worked in electrical production and maintenance in southern Ohio until he joined CEI. He was married to the former Flora Braun. Their home at 1717 Cumberland Road in Cleveland Heights was designated the "all-electric home" because over one hundred electrical appliances and devices were installed there by manufacturers for testing in actual residential usage. He was active in the Masonic Lodge, the Cleveland Rotary Club, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Electrical League of Northern Ohio

From the guide to the Electrical League of Northern Ohio, Inc. Photographs, 1884-1975, (Western Reserve Historical Society)