Early History of the A-C System in America

As part of the Institute's celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the alternating-current system in America, which is being carried out under the auspices of a special committee,* this brief story of the inception and early history of the alternating current system has been prepared by 2 past-presidents of the Institute, both of whom were actively identified with the early development of the system, and both of whom have made many important contributions to the development and application of alternating current power. It is a story of achievement against the strenuous opposition of many prominent electrical engineers of that time. The present almost universal use of alternating current in the great electric power systems of today is in itself a fitting tribute to the genius and vision of George Westing-house and William Stanley who, through their long and persistent efforts under extraordinary difficulties established the first alternating current system in America on March 20, 1886.