Big Apple History . Building the Big Apple . Bright Lights, Big City


	Electric light in Madison Square, New York, from HARPER'S WEEKLY, January 14th, 1882

Journalist George G. Foster loved New York lit by its gas lamps at night. After sundown, he would prowl the city, taking in the oyster bars, dance halls, and theaters, with "their bright lamps casting broad gleams of red light across the street." He even titled his book about the city NEW YORK BY GASLIGHT.

Unlike Foster, most New Yorkers were not so happy with the flickering light gas offered. Most streets were barely lit, allowing criminals to prey on their victims. Inside, gas gave off odors and smoke that stained walls and furniture and caused healthy problems.


Telephone poles on Broadway, 1885

People needed a better form of lighting, and many inventors were at work trying to create one. In 1879, Thomas Edison -- America's greatest inventor -- announced his plans. He would invent electric incandescent light bulbs, and he would build an

electrical system to light up Wall Street, New York's business district. Financiers like J.P. Morgan and the Vanderbilts rushed to invest. They had once been big investors in the gas industry, but they now realized electricity was the future.


	Thomas Edison

On September 4, 1882, the lights came on, and New Yorkers were dazzled. Soon, the "electroliers" -- electric chandeliers -- shone over busy streets, in rich people's homes, and businesses of all kind. Department stores lit up their display windows; theaters tried all kinds of experiments with the new light. Even the torch in the Statue of Liberty was electrified. The light was so bright it disturbed some ship captains who asked that it be dimmed.

Top illustration: Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York.

Middle illustration: Property of AT&T Archives. Reprinted with permission of AT&T.

Bottom illustration: Courtesy of U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Edison National Historic Site.