Today in History: Electricity

Thomas A. Edison's system of electric illumination
Today in History–September 30–the Library of Congress features electricity. On this day in 1882, the first hydroelectric central station in the world began operation on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.  This and other hydroelectric plants provided inexpensive electricity, spurring industrial growth in many regions of the country around the turn of the 20th century. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to uncover more primary source treasures related to hydroelectric plants, Thomas Edison and electricity.

The World’s First Hydroelectric Power Plant Began Operation from America’s Library

Hydroelectric plants image set

Hydroelectric power reports

Hydroelectric power legislation

Edison Light Company newspaper coverage

Thomas A. Edison primary source collections

Electricity books & other texts

Electricity: Alexander Graham Bell papers

Electricity legislation

Electric sheet music

Electricity image set

Palace of Electricity (1900 film)

Who Invented Electric Christmas Lights? Library of Congress Blog December 19, 2017

More science & technology resources