World's first regular electric tram service starts in Berlin by Siemens & Halske

Company Origins. Siemens & Halske was a German electrical engineering company founded in 1847 by Werner von Siemens and Johann Georg Halske. Initially specialized in manufacturing electrical telegraphs, the firm grew through the rising popularity of electrical tramways. Werner von Siemens' 1867 patent for the electric generator supported the company's expansion into electrical infrastructure, including tramway projects in Berlin.

Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway. The Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway opened in 1881 in Lichterfelde, a suburb of Berlin. It is recognized as the first public electric tramway used for permanent service. Initially, the tram drew current directly from the rails. Overhead wire installation occurred later in 1883, marking a shift in power delivery methods for the line.

Preceding Demonstrations. Prior to the permanent service, Siemens & Halske presented a demonstration tramway at the 1879 Berlin Industrial Exposition. This followed earlier experimental lines, such as the 1875 test by Fyodor Pirotsky near Saint Petersburg. The 1881 Berlin service marked a transition from experimental demonstrations to regular public operation.