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History of Electricity in Homes: The Modern Devices That Changed Our Power Needs

Many New York City residents live in pre-war apartment buildings. While these properties are often highly desirable for their architectural details, high ceilings, and hardwood floors, they can present a problem when it comes to electrical systems. The history of electricity in homes reviewed here shows that our electrical needs have changed greatly over the last century. It’s advantageous for city property owners to upgrade to stay with the times, just as landlords did 100 years ago when electrical power was first introduced.

Early Use of Electricity in New York City

Edison, Tesla, and the “War of the Currents”

Steam boilers and gas lanterns were the norm in New York City until the late 1800s. As a few cities in Europe began to experiment with harnessing electrical power, Thomas Edison was developing the light bulb in his laboratory in New Jersey. He proposed using electric lamps instead of gas to save the city money and created generators on Pearl Street for the first NYC power grid on the Lower East Side. Electric light became the first home application of electricity before other appliances followed.

Edison’s grid relied on direct current (DC) power, similar to a battery. However, Serbian-American scientist Nikola Tesla developed a way to use alternating current (AC) power in a way that was more efficient for both the city and domestic users. For a while, Edison and Tesla were in competition. But, eventually, AC power won out. Many of New York’s steam, gas, and burgeoning electrical utilities were acquired by Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., which still provides New York City’s power today.

Introduction of Domestic Electrical Appliances

Blame the iron and the toaster

America was a driving force in the development of electrical appliances for home use once electrical supply was widely available in residences. Clever inventors and entrepreneurs saw opportunities to make life easier and more pleasant for people, with the electric iron paving the way for other appliances. Earl Richardson of California developed the first electric iron in 1903, modifying it and patenting it in 1905.

At the same time, electric filaments were being improved – largely the result of light bulb experimentation – and nichrome, an alloy of nickel and chromium, allowed filaments to heat up without burning out. By 1909, an electric toaster using this technology hit the market, thanks to Frank Shailor of General Electric.

A flurry of new inventions followed, mostly spurred by a desire to make cooking, cleaning, and storing food safer and more convenient:

• Domestic vacuum cleaners, developed by William Hoover, improved on James Spangler’s 1907 “electric suction sweeper.”
• In 1912, the first patent for an electric oven was filed.
• The first home refrigerator was invented by Fred W. Wolf in 1913 and perfected in 1925 to be a standalone unit, then made safer in 1929 with the advent of freon compressors.
• Development of electric dishwashers exploded from 1913 to 1930.
• The first automatic pop-up toaster was made in 1919.
• An iron with temperature control became available in 1927 (spray mist not added until 1962).
• The first washers to wash, rinse, and extract water from clothes were sold in the 1930s.
• J. Ross Moore sold his idea for an electric clothes dryer to the Hamilton Manufacturing Company in 1935.
• Sears marketed the first top-loading dishwasher in 1947 for nearly $240 – the equivalent of more than $3,000 today!

From Convenience to Luxury

Microwaves and more

The more home electrical appliances became mainstream, the more the door was opened to improvements and new inventions for greater convenience and downright luxury. If you look around your home, you probably have a dozen or more large and small appliances and electronic devices beyond those listed above, including:

• Coffee maker
• Microwave oven
• Toaster oven
• Blender
• Food processor
• Electric mixer
• Juicer/beverage maker
• Tea kettle
• Slow cooker
• Pressure cooker
• Wine refrigerator
• Rice cooker
• Freezer chest
• Garbage disposal
• Electric fan
• Air conditioner
• Portable heater
• Electric blanket

The list grows every year, with trendy appliances to mimic restaurant cooking (waffle makers and air fryers) or let people experience other eating out experiences at home, such as popcorn machines and pizza ovens.

Of course, we also have sophisticated entertainment systems that have grown far beyond the humble radio. As well as television sets and stereos, we have sound systems that replicate movie theaters and all manner of computer and personal communication devices that leave corded phones and fax machines in the dust.

Is Your Property Stuck in the 1930s?

Time for an update

There is a downside to all these wonderful inventions, though, if you own or reside in an older New York City apartment building. The electrical systems that were installed in the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s weren’t made for today’s plethora of appliances or the amount of electricity they demand, and many tenants find themselves frustrated by pre-war electrical components. In some cases, these electrical systems are downright dangerous.

Some of the electrical problems we commonly see in pre-war buildings include:

• Outdated electrical panels (AKA circuit breakers) or, worse, fuse boxes
• Inadequate amperage for circuits (not enough power)
• Overloaded circuits, where large appliances don’t have their own circuit
• Old wiring with gaps (shorts) or degraded insulation
• Insufficient number of outlets (AKA receptacles)
• Non-grounded (two-prong) outlets
• Lack of GFI receptacles in kitchens and baths for safety around water
• Flickering lights
• Dimmer switches won’t work

Although not having enough receptacles or old outlets sound like a nuisance, they can actually be a fire hazard, as can old wiring and recalled electrical panels, especially if tenants resort to solutions like overloading power strips.

The answer is to upgrade your property to bring it into the 21st century. This not only improves safety and eliminates headache calls. It also allows you to add new technology that’s in high demand by tenants these days, like programmable thermostats and smart home hubs. Plus, you’ll save money in the long run, with updates like submetering and LED lighting.

If you’re ready to make the change, we welcome the opportunity to consult with you. Call Bolt Electric at 212-434-0098 or schedule an appointment at your convenience online.