Hydroelectric Power: The First 30 Years [History]

A bulletin of the edison Electric Light Company dated 20 December 1882 reported that three residences in Appleton, Wisconsin, were lit by an Edison system driven by water power (Figure 1). In 1933, the Appleton chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution installed a commemorative plaque that declared, "Near this site the world's first hydroelectric central station was erected in 1882." In fact, the history of single-user hydroelectric power began in 1878 in Northumberland, England, and the history of continuous multiuser commercial hydroelectric power began in 1880 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.