On this day in Engineering: Edison's Vulcan Street Hydroelectric Plant
Thomas Edison is widely celebrated as one of the most prolific inventors in history with over a thousand patents to his name. While he is best known for inventing the incandescent light bulb, one of his most significant achievements was the development of the hydroelectric plant at Fox River which entered operation on this day (30 September) in 1882. A pioneering project that revolutionised the way electricity was generated and distributed in the late 19th century. Edison's Vision for Electric Power At the turn of the 20th century, electricity was still in its infancy as a practical source of power for homes and industries. Most electricity was generated through steam engines and distributed over short distances, limiting its usefulness. Edison recognised the potential of electricity as…