Edison's Pearl Street Station opens

Background. Thomas Edison began working on an electrical lighting system in 1878, which he hoped would replace the common gas lamp. He founded the Edison Illuminating Company on December 17, 1880, and during the 1880s patented a system for electricity distribution. To reduce copper requirements, he invented a three-prong wire system allowing smaller gauge wires than the prior two-wire distribution. In January 1882, Edison had switched on a 93 kW steam-generating power station at Holborn Viaduct in London to demonstrate feasibility.

Station Construction. Pearl Street Station was located at 255–257 Pearl Street in Manhattan's Financial District. Built by the Edison Illuminating Company under Francis Upton's direction, the station occupied a 50 by 100 feet site. It utilized coal for fuel and initially operated with six 100 kW dynamos, designed to provide direct current power to the surrounding district.

Initial Operations. The station began generating electricity on September 4, 1882, serving an initial load of 400 lamps to 82 customers. It provided 110 volts direct current. The station served the 'First District,' bounded by Spruce Street, the East River, Wall Street, and Nassau Street. By 1884, the station had expanded to serve 508 customers with 10,164 lamps.