Museum of Science and Industry

Electricity is essential to society today and it is hard to imagine life without it. Yet large-scale electricity generation only began in the late nineteenth century. At first, electricity generating stations mainly supplied power for lighting streets and public buildings.

A great spur for the early industry was the introduction of the carbon filament lamp (or light bulb) in 1879. Developed independently by American inventor Thomas Edison and British chemist Joseph Swan, the light bulb made electric lighting suitable for home use.

Early power stations used steam engines to turn the generators. These engines were replaced with steam turbines, which were more efficient. Much of our electricity today is produced in the same way. As the demand for electricity grew, the government decided to build a national network. The Electricity Supply Act of 1926 led to the National Grid we all know today.