Date of Award:

5-1976

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Arts (MA)

Department:

History

Committee Chair(s)

Charles S. Peterson

Committee

Charles S. Peterson

Abstract

Invented in the 1870's, practical electric lighting systems and the electric power industry immediately began to spread. At first electricity was limited to public and domestic lighting. Soon, it was applied to transportation when streetcars and interurbans were electrified. Later, industry, in particular the mining industry, adopted electricity as a source of power, and the profits and efficiency increased significantly.

In Utah electrification began as early as 1880. In that year the state's first electric power company was incorporated in Salt Lake City. Soon, Ogden, Logan, Provo, and other towns began harnessing electricity. Shortly thereafter, electric streetcars began to run in the state's major cities and interurban lines connected towns along the Wasatch Front. Simultaneously, electricity was introduced into the mines, and greatly improved their productivity.

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