Electricity Through The Years: How Significant It Has Become

importance of electricity

Imagining your life without electricity is definitely impossible if you think about it today. With the present evolution of technology, it is certainly out of the question. We use it for cooking, ironing, reading, pretty much everything that we do involves electricity and the use of electrical supplies. We apparently cannot live without it. But of course, there was a time when people lived without electricity yet they have survived.

electrical power systems

  • Cities and Towns

The introduction of electricity began during the late 1800s when electrical power systems were first invented. By the 1920s, many cities and towns in America were already using electricity through privately-owned electric companies. By the 1930s, most towns had houses with electricity which meant the usage of hot plates, electric stoves, electric roasters and coffee makers, among other appliances. The use of electricity greatly improved the daily lives of the people.

  • Rural Areas

In the early 1930s, only about 10% of rural areas in America used electricity. Wires were pretty expensive and it seemed uneconomical for investors to run wires into the countryside. Those who had electricity actually had to buy their own power plants. Farmers had to buy battery systems just to have light or run their appliances. Radios were also ran through battery usage. Before electric lines were connected, most of the houses had to create a gas light system with a tank of water along with pellets to create gas. This defined the obvious difference in the lives of those living in the city and those who lived in the rural community.

  • Farm Life

Before the onset of electricity, farm life was hard and difficult to bear. It entailed more muscle work for the farmers. Lights usually came from kerosene lamps that were still too dim that you had to strain your eyes to see in the dark. Children usually did their home works with the use of kerosene lanterns and you can just imagine how difficult it was for them to be able to read. Radios were only powered by batteries which could go dead anytime and when you least expect it.

  • Improvement in Rural Life

Electricity has greatly improved the lives of those living in the rural areas. The introduction of electrical supplies has improved the efficiency of work for most farmers. Work became more productive and it paved the way for a more relaxed way of life in the process. Mothers had more time to sit with their husbands in the evening and bond with the rest of the family as electricity has helped them finish their daily work routine efficiently and quicker. Washing clothes and ironing became easy tasks which the children could even do.

The importance of electricity may not be too perceptible when you think about it today. It has always been there and people may have taken it for granted because we have never lived without it. Electricity is used everywhere. We use it from the time we wake up to the time we retire to bed. Let us not misuse it.