It’s very simple these days. Flip a switch. Push a button. Give orders to a cell phone robot. And boom, electricity! But this ubiquitous product that society enjoys today results from a complex effort that obsessed scientists, politicians, and royalty in various countries for several centuries. The first step was discovering it, a complicated process that began with dissecting animals before flying kites and eventually experimenting with salt water, copper, and coal. Then, after mankind learned how to create electricity, business owners and government agencies found ways to manufacture it efficiently on a massive scale before distributing it safely, while also turning a profit. Imagine trying to do all that in a dense, diverse, and crime-ridden urban center while it was governed by a corrupt political machine.

Electricity and New York City begins with a refresher course on electricity’s history before focusing on the United States and then the Big Apple, where providing “juice” led to the creation of entire neighborhoods, the establishment of powerful union locals, a meteoric rise in the quality of life, and an almost equal share of millionaires and prisoners. With help from more than 180 images—many of which were out of the public domain until this publication—this book provides an insider’s view of a vital product that’s rarely appreciated and only noticed when it’s absent, but nevertheless powers the economy, saves lives, and increases comfort every second of the day.

About the Author: 

Author Rob MacKay was a longtime, award-winning community journalist who now works for the Queens Economic Development Corporation as deputy director for community. He handles the agency’s public relations and operates various social media channels that promote the borough’s restaurants, shops, hotels, and tourism attractions. MacKay, who has written Historic Houses of Queens and Famous People of Queens with Arcadia Publishing, is also president of the Queens Historical Society’s board of trustees. His interest in electricity peaked after receiving access to utility company Con Edison’s archives.