HIST 100: Engineering The Past

Use of Alternating Current Electricity

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Kayla Pollard
Logan Tueller
Jonathan Shoemaker

What is the most commonly overlooked feature? Alternating current(AC), a form of electricity, was the feature that our group decided to analyze. Our definition of the term engineering means being reworked to meet new challenges or are “engineering” these feats for the future. With this in mind AC meets these requirements and is “engineered” to supply extremely large amounts of power faster and more cost effective than the common direct current. Most people saw this as the future of electricity, some did not.
In comparing The Book of the Fair by Bancroft to “War on Currents” as well as Larson’s point of view in Devil in the White City all believe that AC was scientific advancement. Another point they could all agree on was how economically efficient AC was over direct current (DC). However they did differ, Larson told a story of Tesla and Westinghouse being the underdogs that outbid the electricity expert of the time. Whereas Bancroft didn’t view Tesla or Westinghouse as the underdogs but simply the creators of the amazing discovery. Another contrast between the two currents according to The Book of the Fair, alternating current could transport 10,000 volts over 28 miles of copper lines, whereas direct current wouldn’t be able to transfer 10,000 volts over 20 miles. The Book of the Fair and Devil in the White City’s point of view were both positive as they were looking at the affects it would have on the future. Whereas the article “War on Currents” talks about Edison’s drive to disprove AC at the time.
Looking at why the authors have different views is also in part to the time in which they were written. The Book of the Fair was written around the time the fair was opened. Knowing this we can see that the author themselves where in amazement by new engineering feats. Larson on the other hand published Devil in the White City in 2003 where he has already seen what AC can do his whole life. Whereas the War on Currents simply looked at the historical facts objectively viewing only its effects on society.
Bancroft’s interpretation of electricity is a lot more passionate and persuasive compared to Larson’s. He describes a world without light and “Suddenly a beam of light shoots like a falling star from the lofty dome of the Administration building, and a moment later its symmetrical outlines stand out in tracery of fire” (Bancroft). Through his words the readers who were not there were able to feel the stark contrast between the world before and during the evolution and advancement of electricity. “General Electric rather miraculously came back with a bid of $554,000. But Westinghouse, whose AC system was inherently cheaper and more efficient, bid $399,000” (Larson), his words were drab and straight to the point. The World’s Fair was all about proving how spectacular and innovative the country was compared to everyone else. Electricity was not a completely new concept but it was America and Chicago’s job to display electricity on a more grand scale.
During this time it was important to not only be seen as relevant and flashy, all the work that was being done with electricity was going to be crucial to the development of this world. At the World’s Fair the Electrical department worked to show practical uses for the electricity that was being created. This invention could be used to power railways, mining, and metal work along with all of these artistic things astounding the fair goers. By showing electricity’s diversity it was able to show its importance, and not be dismissed as a fad.

Cited information

Bancroft, Hubert H. “Electricity.” The Book of the Fair. Chicago: Bancroft, 1893. 407-10. World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. .

Larson, Erik. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. New York: Crown, 2003. Print.

“War of the Currents.” PBS. PBS. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. .

Two Perfect Pages

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1.2 Bridges

When photographed both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge are admired for their architecture. While scrolling through images on Flickr it became apparent that the Golden Gate Bridge is admired for its color and how it prominent image within the bay. On this specific website there were no photographs that were taken on the bridge itself, always from a distance. On the other hand, there were many more photographs of the Brooklyn Bridge from a pedestrian’s point of view, as the many different cables on the bridge create very interesting photographs. From looking at the photographs of the two bridges, the Golden Gate Bridge appeared to symbolize a gateway to either the bay or the ocean on the other side. When looking at the Brooklyn Bridge it seemed that the connection of two important cities was the main focus.

The Brooklyn Bridge, having opened in 1883, was very sturdy for its time. Roebling had designed the bridge to be stronger than it needed to be because the science of bridge building had not been figured out yet. I think that if the science had been better during the developing we would not have the iconic bridge, with many cables and huge towers, that we do today. The intricate design is what makes it so remarkable. The bridge was originally designed for vehicles, like carts and carriages, and pedestrians. This bridge has more emphasis on accessibility for pedestrians; the walkway is down the center, with car lanes on the outside. The Golden Gate Bridge has walkways as well, but it is apparent that the bridge was primarily designed for vehicles with many car lanes, and sidewalks on the side.
In comparison to the Brooklyn Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge is just as breathtaking but much sleeker. The opening for the Golden Gate was just over 50 years after the Brooklyn Bridge’s, and engineers began to have a greater understanding of ways to build bridges. It was designed to be more flexible, to withstand the wind it would encounter. Had the bridge been built at the same time as the Brooklyn Bridge it is possible that the design would have been bulkier and not as iconic.

Both bridges have had minimal changes through the years, none of them effecting the overall appearance. By both New York City and San Francisco deciding to keep their historical images they are appreciating their city’s past, and our country’s past. Even being on opposite sides of the country, both cities are places of innovation and change, but they know it is important to celebrate history and to be proud of what came first.

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From the beginning we are introduced to Burnham and Root. They balanced each other out very well. Root was very innovative and strongly focused on how he wanted his ideas to look, and Burnham was the one that had to successfully make the ideas come true. I would describe Burnham’s main value as being his strength or reputation. Starting off he wasn’t the top dog, but he knew how to use personality and looks to get him and Root to where they needed to be. “his greatest strength lay in his ability to win clients and execute Root’s elegant designs…’his very bearing and looks were half the battle. He had only to assert the most commonplace thing and it sounded important and convincing’”(26).

We may not see Bloom as often as others in the book but I found him very interesting. It seemed he would fall into some major positions and kind of roll with it. One of the first times we see him he is being offered the position to go to Chicago and is looking for a way to get out of. He decides to say his salary needs to be higher than what the president was currently making, and at last he got it. I would say he values reputation and power. When speaking to others about the size of what he was currently building he could tell they weren’t very interested in hearing the number. Not knowing how many Russian soldiers stood in their standing army he said “’Look at it this way-its going to be big enough to hold the standing army of Russia’…Bloom felt no remorse”(160).

Looking at Holmes I would say he values and utilizes love and safety. He strives to make people feel loved and safe to make them more vulnerable. When we are first introduced to him he talked to Mrs. Holton to get a job and later on and made it seem like he was taking over the business to help her in this time of need while her husband was dying. When in reality he just wanted an easy target to get the best deal he could. “Immediately Holmes deployed his tools of seduction, his soothing voice and touch and frank blue gaze. He bought her flowers…”(163). This woman he was wooing he went on to become engaged to her, and she went missing. Some speculating that he had murdered her but didn’t bother to look into it. His charm made people overlook the questionable things people noticed about him.

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