Roach - Simply electrifying: the technology that transformed the world, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk

PRAISE FOR SIMPLY ELECTRIFYING

Ten years in the making, Simply Electrifying is an inspiring book about the pioneers and visionaries who brought the transformative technology of electricity to all of society. Thoroughly researched, with insightful commentary, the book provides a thought-provoking and comprehensive examination of the challenges and evolving opportunities surrounding the electrification of our economy. The book also underscores the critically important role that electricity plays in powering our lives and our future.

Tom Kuhn, president, Edison Electric Institute

Simply Electrifying is as impressive as it is engaging and informative. Documenting the comprehensive history of one of humanitys greatest achievements is no small feat, but Craig R. Roach has given us an elegant book that provides an excellent review of electricity and the utility industry in this country.

Joshua W. Martin III, director, Southwest Power Pool

Craig Roach is a very accomplished economist, so as I sat down to read his Simply Electrifying, I expected another economic treatise replete with graphs and equations geared more toward the academic community than the general public. Just the opposite: As an economist myself, I was captivated as he filled in the blanks of history on a subject that has governed most of my career. The perseverance of entrepreneurs, the politics, the government, and the competitionsall of which gave us the miracle of electricityis written beautifully in the genre of historical fiction. But this is not fiction, and Craig does not stop in the present nor with power alone, but rather with sensitivity to mans responsibility in future pursuits of scientific achievements. This book should fill a prominent place on anyones bookshelf as a reference to one of mans greatest achievements.

Alan R. Schriber, PhD, former chair, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio

Dozens of times a day we flip a switch and lights, TVs, computers, washing machines, and all the other devices we rely upon in our modern lives come on. We simply take for granted that this magical thing we call electricity will be available on-demand, 24/7, 365 days a year. Rarely do we even wonder about how that happens, where electricity comes from, and how it gets to us, instantly ready when we need it. In this well-researched, well-written, and engaging book, Dr. Roach presents an accessible history of this simply electrifying topic: electricity itself. Starting with Benjamin Franklin and continuing through to Elon Musk and Bill Gates, Dr. Roach gives us the inside story, unpacking scientific breakthroughs and connecting physics and engineering to the economic, regulatory, legal, business, and environmental policies that shape this crucial industry. Both newbies to the field and experienced policy wonks will learn much from this important book.

Julie Simon, energy industry expert, Washington, DC

A history buffs delight! Step into the incredible story of the origins of electricity like never before. Its fascinating to see how far weve come and consider what the future may hold. Simply Electrifying is a gem and a must-read for anybody that has ever reached for a light switch.

Kent Parsons, energy and electricity lawyer, Baton Rouge, LA

If you have any interest in learning about the roles that science, governments, and private enterprise can play in determining the economics and choice of new technologies for social benefit or harm, read Craigs book on the US electricity market. It is a comprehensive, balanced, and very informative analysis of the history of this essential product. I am already recommending Simply Electrifying to my students.

Ken Hendricks, Laurits R. Christensen Distinguished Chair, Department of Economics, University of WisconsinMadison

Dr. Roachs talent for identifying key issues and explaining complex ideas in straightforward terms enriches his wide-angle review of the origin and development of the electricity industry and the business of supplying power. Simply Electrifying brings into vivid focus both the inventors responsible for the turning points in the discovery, production, and commercialization of electricity, and the executives and investors who shaped the electricity business. This incisive work connects advances in electricity technology and uses to the broader sweep of scientific progress, while also framing the transformative consequences of the democratization of electricity in economic, regulatory, and environmental terms. Dr. Roachs outstanding book, by explaining how electricity became fundamental to modern life, allows us to better understand where the industry will go next.

Kenneth M. Simon, partner (ret.), Latham & Watkins LLP

Simply Electrifying

Copyright 2017 by Craig R. Roach

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

BenBella Books, Inc.

10440 N. Central Expressway, Suite 800

Dallas, TX 75231

www.benbellabooks.com

Send feedback to

First E-Book Edition: July 2017

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Roach, Craig.

Title: Simply electrifying : the technology that transformed the world, from Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk / Craig R. Roach.

Description: Dallas, TX : BenBella Books, Inc., [2017] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017004508 (print) | LCCN 2017006347 (ebook) | ISBN 9781944648268 (trade cloth : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781944648275 (electronic)

Subjects: LCSH: ElectricityHistory. | Electrical engineeringHistory. | InventorsBiography.

Classification: LCC QC527 .R63 2017 (print) | LCC QC527 (ebook) | DDC 621.309dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017004508

Editing by Stephanie Gorton Murphy

Copyediting by Miki Alexandra Caputo

Proofreading by James Fraleigh and Laura Cherkas

Indexing by Debra Bowman Indexing Services

Text design by Aaron Edmiston

Text composition by PerfecType, Nashville, TN

Cover design by Pete Garceau

Author photo by Dupont Photographers

Jacket design by Sarah Avinger

Printed by Lake Book Manufacturing

Distributed by Perseus Distribution

www.perseusdistribution.com

To place orders through Perseus Distribution:

Tel: (800) 343-4499

Fax: (800) 351-5073

Email:

To all those who agree with Benjamin Franklin that when Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick; and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter.

I could not have written Simply Electrifying without the tenacious and insightful