First electric lighting system employing overhead wires begins service in US

Thomas Edison’s first electric lighting system with overhead wires began service in Roselle, New Jersey, on 19 January 1883, revolutionizing public lighting and paving the way for modern electrical infrastructure

Desk Report

Publisted at 7:58 AM, Sun Jan 19th, 2025

On 19 January 1883, Thomas Edison’s groundbreaking electric lighting system, utilising overhead wires, was inaugurated in Roselle, New Jersey.

This marked a significant advancement in the use of electricity for public lighting, as Edison's system provided a more reliable and efficient alternative to gas lamps.

The event not only demonstrated the practicality of electric light but also laid the foundation for modern electrical distribution networks, transforming how cities and towns would be illuminated in the future.

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