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 ==== Chapter 1, Great White Way ====
-“For such towns lighting was more than a mere functional necessity or a convenience; it emerged as a glamorous symbol of progress and cultural advancement.” (54) I believe that this quote itself summed up the importance of light to people and that it wasn’t yearned for because of necessity but as a way to “one-up” someone else. Every exposition that Nye referenced to described extraordinary light shows, where the goal was to make the lights and displays more jaw dropping than the last. Visitors didn’t go to see practical things, but instead to see illusions that took them away from reality. – Jessie Cavolt
+“For such towns lighting was more than a mere functional necessity or a convenience; it emerged as a glamorous symbol of progress and cultural advancement.” (54) I believe that this quote itself **summed up the importance of light to people and that it wasn’t yearned for because of necessity but as a way to “one-up” someone else.** Every exposition that Nye referenced to described extraordinary light shows, where the goal was to make the lights and displays more jaw dropping than the last. **Visitors didn’t go to see practical things, but instead to see illusions that took them away from reality.** – Jessie Cavolt
-Nye does comment about the idea of electric lighting being a status symbol of the time, but it can't be over looked that Electric systems and lighting are extremely costly to have installed but the trade off was cheaper fire insurance from switching from gas lighting to electrical systems, a very common type of wiring system being knob and tube system of electrical wiring, "the Grand Pacific Hotel in Chicago replaced 570 gas jets with 17 arc lights, saving $300 a month. The savings often were augmented by cheaper insurance." (Nye, 32.). Though this doesn't take into account the initial cost of the installation of the system or the cost to run electricity in from a generator electrical systems are very much a capitalist venture. Though the fire risk was decreased there still were flaws with the system being complete fire prove. Because of these high costs of installation, maintenance and running of electricity into a structure it does fall nicely in line with Nye's ideas of having electric lighting in one's buildings being a status symbol for the wealthy when most people still made use of natural lighting, gas lighting or candles. - Laura Downs
+Nye does comment about the idea of electric lighting being a status symbol of the time, but it can't be over looked that Electric systems and lighting are extremely costly to have installed but the trade off was cheaper fire insurance from switching from gas lighting to electrical systems, a very common type of wiring system being knob and tube system of electrical wiring, "the Grand Pacific Hotel in Chicago replaced 570 gas jets with 17 arc lights, saving $300 a month. The savings often were augmented by cheaper insurance." (Nye, 32.). Though this doesn't take into account the initial cost of the installation of the system or the cost to run electricity in from a generator **electrical systems are very much a capitalist venture**. Though the fire risk was decreased there still were flaws with the system being complete fire prove. Because of these high costs of installation, maintenance and running of electricity into a structure it does fall nicely in line with Nye's ideas of having electric lighting in one's buildings being a status symbol for the wealthy when most people still made use of natural lighting, gas lighting or candles. - Laura Downs
-When electricity and light bulbs became a possibility, they were not originally used for conventional and practical means. They were used to amaze people, and everyone tried to be better and more jaw dropping then the last. The first example that Nye uses is the world fairs, “Every fair attempted to outdo all previous efforts by escalating both the scale and the completeness of displays,” (Nye 39). These fairs evolved to go beyond using electricity for just lights, but for amusement rides, fountains, and demonstrations. Stores, restaurants, hotels, and theatres also used their access to electricity to outdo each other. They competed with each other to have the best display to attract customers. Nye explains that in the early days of electricity that having lighted displays and advertisements meant that your business had money and was high end. - Heidi Schmidt
+When electricity and light bulbs became a possibility, they were not originally used for conventional and practical means. They were used to amaze people, and everyone tried to be better and more jaw dropping then the last. **The first example that Nye uses is the world fairs, “Every fair attempted to outdo all previous efforts by escalating both the scale and the completeness of displays,” (Nye 39).** These fairs evolved to go beyond using electricity for just lights, but for amusement rides, fountains, and demonstrations. Stores, restaurants, hotels, and theatres also used their access to electricity to outdo each other. They competed with each other to have the best display to attract customers. Nye explains that in the early days of electricity that having lighted displays and advertisements meant that your business had money and was high end. - Heidi Schmidt
-Nye idenfied the symbolism of electricity as the middle class’s need for “authentic experience.” (60) Nye argues that lighting served to illuminate streets from “banality.” (60) In contrast, lighting also hid unattractive “ghetto” areas of the city. He asserts “if by day poor sections called out for social form, by night city was purified world of light.” (60) Additionally, Nye indemnifies electricity as a crucial part of experiencing natural and national symbols. Specifically, Nye uses the lighting up of Niagara as an example. This blending of nature and electricity enabled them to exist in a near harmony. Electricity seemed to be a form of seeing nature more clearly and as an illuminating part of cities.
+Nye idenfied the symbolism of electricity as the middle class’s need for “authentic experience.” (60) Nye argues that lighting served to illuminate streets from “banality.” (60) In contrast, lighting also hid unattractive “ghetto” areas of the city. He asserts “if by day poor sections called out for social form, by night city was purified world of light.” (60) Additionally, Nye indemnifies electricity as a crucial part of experiencing natural and national symbols. Specifically, **Nye uses the lighting up of Niagara as an example. This blending of nature and electricity enabled them to exist in a near harmony. Electricity seemed to be a form of seeing nature more clearly and as an illuminating part of cities.**
  --- //[[ejames@umw.edu|James, Emily B.]] 2017/02/22 21:02//
-I particularly enjoyed reading about how the impact of electric lights affected the way Americans visited natural landmarks. In the text Niagara Falls is enhanced with "fourty-four searchlights on the Canadian side and developed a system of color filters to get special effects" (58). At first, there were many skeptics, including a Mr. Dooley who commented "I don't believe a word of it. It don't stand to reason. What goes over thim falls! Wather. An' how in the wurruld can wather make lights!" (58). However construction of the lights continued and the nightly light show was unlike anything viewers had ever seen. The New York Tribune reported the falls were "magnificently illuminated, the falls were of a beauty that their daylight aspect never equalled" (58). This is one of the first cases of using light to alter a natural landmark, and how the industrial world has begun intermingling with the natural. The lines between artificial and natural have become blurred by "suppressing some features of a site and emphasizing others" (60). Based on this passage, it is clear that Americans enjoyed visual marvels in general; not just the natural ones but also the industrial. This infringement of the man-made world upon the organic isn't seen as an issue until much later.  --- //[[htaylor2@umw.edu|Taylor Heather L.]] 2017/02/22 21:41//
+I particularly enjoyed reading about how the impact of electric lights affected the way Americans visited natural landmarks. In the text Niagara Falls is enhanced with "fourty-four searchlights on the Canadian side and developed a system of color filters to get special effects" (58). **At first, there were many skeptics, including a Mr. Dooley who commented "I don't believe a word of it. It don't stand to reason. What goes over thim falls! Wather. An' how in the wurruld can wather make lights!"** (58). However construction of the lights continued and the nightly light show was unlike anything viewers had ever seen. The New York Tribune reported the falls were "magnificently illuminated, the falls were of a beauty that their daylight aspect never equalled" (58). This is one of the first cases of using light to alter a natural landmark, and how the industrial world has begun intermingling with the natural. The lines between artificial and natural have become blurred by "suppressing some features of a site and emphasizing others" (60). Based on this passage, it is clear that Americans enjoyed visual marvels in general; not just the natural ones but also the industrial.** This infringement of the man-made world upon the organic isn't seen as an issue until much later.**  --- //[[htaylor2@umw.edu|Taylor Heather L.]] 2017/02/22 21:41//
 As some already stated, Nye argues that electricity and illuminated allowed for an enhanced experience with nature. Nye uses Niagra Falls for an example of this with it's "colored lights and special effects." (58) This light show allows the falls to be seen at night, and more importantly, allows companies to make more money. This illumination of nature seemed purely commercial to me. While this may enhance the experience for some, I couldn't help but think how electricity has furthered the divide between humans and nature now. We have always found pleasure in the visually spectacular, but with the illumination humans created we have taken away things like the stars in the night sky which now can only be fully seen in rural areas. -Madison White
-Over winter break I went to New York City for the first time with my family and we stayed in Times Square. Now I feel like I took all the lights and sings for granted, because that’s how one always pictures Times Square. I never thought how it came to be this way. Like railroads, I think it says a lot about American society that electricity was seen as a cultural currency to display a progressive and technological society and that darkness equaled primitive. Lighted signs were a boastful display of the innovation of American discovery and technology. I find it really interesting that “electricity buildings” were such amazing spectacles that people flocked to see. The abundance of light is so easy to access now and literally at our fingertips every day.  It’s strange to think about a day that streetlights revolutionized being out at night. It’s crazy to describe electric light “glowing as if bound with wreaths of start,” (39). I’ve watched Niagra Falls light up from a hotel room. I switch my lights on and off as I please. Now, being able to control light and darkness and power our homes with electricity is something we do every day. To us, there’s nothing God-like or spectacular about it.    ---Anna Collins
+**Over winter break I went to New York City for the first time with my family and we stayed in Times Square. Now I feel like I took all the lights and sings for granted, because that’s how one always pictures Times Square. I never thought how it came to be this way.** Like railroads, I think it says a lot about American society that electricity was seen as a cultural currency to display a progressive and technological society and that darkness equaled primitive. Lighted signs were a boastful display of the innovation of American discovery and technology. I find it really interesting that “electricity buildings” were such amazing spectacles that people flocked to see. The abundance of light is so easy to access now and literally at our fingertips every day.  It’s strange to think about a day that streetlights revolutionized being out at night. It’s crazy to describe electric light “glowing as if bound with wreaths of stars,” (39). I’ve watched Niagra Falls light up from a hotel room. I switch my lights on and off as I please. Now, being able to control light and darkness and power our homes with electricity is something we do every day. To us, there’s nothing God-like or spectacular about it.    ---Anna Collins
+In this section, Nye discusses how electric lighting was able to become more than just an advancement in American technology, it was also a symbol of prosperity and prestige. Electric lighting was preferred to gas lighting because it didn't smell, release smoke, or consume oxygen. (pg 31). It was also economically more favorable. Some of this had to do with insurance companies lowering their rates if a company used electric lighting over the more dangerous gas lighting. **Nye brings up how important marketing was for electric lighting** and that a lot of it was able to be done at World's Fairs. These are events where different countries come together and showcase the best, most advance technology they have to offer. Electricity was often front and center at these events because "Organizers looked for elements of display at once refined, abstract, expensive, and as modern as possible, and electricity had all of these qualities." (pg 35). Electricity helped boost America's global image with people from Russia, Chile, and more soon purchasing electric lights from Edison. -Nicole Spreeman
 ==== Chapter 2, Crosstown Transfer ====
-Prior to reading this, I had not realized that the electric streetcar was in the works as early as the 1880s. Electricity was extremely important to the invention of the streetcar, but it also changed the way that people began advertising. Trolleys and streetcars would go through numerous different neighborhoods, each reflecting a different class dependent on how far away from the CBD they were. With the advent of the streetcar people could post advertisements on the side of the streetcar and people of all classes and thus transformed the city into a consumer market. Not only did it switch to a consumer market, but commercial and residential zones formed helping businesses decide where to locate and invest. (111) I found this to be interesting because it is a form of advertising that we continue to use today on trains, city busses and trolleys and a model that businesses still follow.  -Emma Baumgardner
+Prior to reading this, I had not realized that the electric streetcar was in the works as early as the 1880s. Electricity was extremely important to the invention of the streetcar, but it also changed the way that people began advertising. Trolleys and streetcars would go through numerous different neighborhoods, each reflecting a different class dependent on how far away from the CBD they were.** With the advent of the streetcar people could post advertisements on the side of the streetcar and people of all classes and thus transformed the city into a consumer market.** Not only did it switch to a consumer market, but commercial and residential zones formed helping businesses decide where to locate and invest. (111) I found this to be interesting because it is a form of advertising that we continue to use today on trains, city busses and trolleys and a model that businesses still follow.  -Emma Baumgardner
-I thought this was a fascinating reading and I learned so much from it.  I had no idea that electric streetcars were in development in the early 19th century.  But it makes sense that with electricity already used for other things such as lighting and communication and now being used for transportation. I found this being very interesting because form of advertising that we continue to use today on trains, city busses and trolleys and a model that businesses still follow. -Daryl Murray
+I thought this was a fascinating reading and I learned so much from it.  I had no idea that electric streetcars were in development in the early 19th century.  But **it makes sense that with electricity already used for other things such as lighting and communication and now being used for transportation.** I found this being very interesting because form of advertising that we continue to use today on trains, city busses and trolleys and a model that businesses still follow. -Daryl Murray
 ==== Chapter 4, What was Electricity? 138-142, 182-184 ====
-The National electric policy/system was nearly impossible between the years of 1880 and 1920. The political system at this time gave power to local, state, and federal politicians. Due to this, it was extremely hard to figure out who has jurisdiction on the power system and how was able to implement the industry. There were regional, statewide, and potential national power companies. This made the years of 1880-1920 a conflicting and complex time for electricity.  --- //[[abrooks6@umw.edu|Brooks Anna R.]] 2017/02/22 19:13//
+**The National electric policy/system was nearly impossible between the years of 1880 and 1920. The political system at this time gave power to local, state, and federal politicians. Due to this, it was extremely hard to figure out who has jurisdiction on the power system and how was able to implement the industry. There were regional, statewide, and potential national power companies. This made the years of 1880-1920 a conflicting and complex time for electricity.**  --- //[[abrooks6@umw.edu|Brooks Anna R.]] 2017/02/22 19:13//
-I find it fascinating how the motivation and power behind electrification of countries varied from country to country. In America electricity (and therefore electrification) was privately owned and so began in the wealthiest areas and “spectacular lighting” (for advertisements and what not) was developed rather quickly (Nye, 140). Electricity only reached the rural areas when the Government intervened. In contrast, in countries where electricity was owned by the Government, it was considered a political goal to have electricity in every household and therefore electrification of a majority of the households occurred sooner than in America. However, because of this focus, it took longer for the spectacular lighting to develop. The motivations behind electrification influenced the speed and how electricity was used. Not only does this demonstrate the values upheld in different countries, but I think it also demonstrates that technology has a much richer history than the steps taken to invent it. The impact and how different cultures react to new technology is important to understanding the cultures themselves. It also makes me rethink the technology I take for granted today (and something tells me this won’t be the last time this happens this semester). - Shannon K
+I find it fascinating how the motivation and power behind electrification of countries varied from country to country. In America electricity (and therefore electrification) was privately owned and so began in the wealthiest areas and “spectacular lighting” (for advertisements and what not) was developed rather quickly (Nye, 140). **Electricity only reached the rural areas when the Government intervened. In contrast, in countries where electricity was owned by the Government, it was considered a political goal to have electricity in every household and therefore electrification of a majority of the households occurred sooner than in America.** However, because of this focus, it took longer for the spectacular lighting to develop. The motivations behind electrification influenced the speed and how electricity was used.** Not only does this demonstrate the values upheld in different countries, but I think it also demonstrates that technology has a much richer history than the steps taken to invent it.** The impact and how different cultures react to new technology is important to understanding the cultures themselves. It also makes me rethink the technology I take for granted today (and something tells me this won’t be the last time this happens this semester). - Shannon K
-“Much of the public still harbored utopian expectations for a better electrified tomorrow which would include all citizens.” It is captivating to see electricity in all households being seen as “the perfect world,” because it is such a common amenity in the not-so utopian world we live in today. But I guess that is what makes technology so interesting. It makes people constantly look for a more advancement, easier way of doing things, even when we have good technology as it is, we want to do better. It also shows the more difficult side of life-changing inventions. The creation of electricity was one of the most impactful inventions to ever happen, but with it came a lot of decisions that had to be sorted out at public, private, and government levels.-Kelsey Dean
+**What I found the most interesting about this reading was the idea that electricity was found by "businessmen, property owners, and police" to be "useful for social control" (145)**. Electricity is so common today that it seems strange that it was ever new enough to make a difference to levels of social control. The aspect of safety that electricity embodies is something that I, and probably most of society definitely take for granted now. Streetlights and alarm systems for deterring muggers and other criminals is something that is now so standard, but must have been an amazing development back then. - Megan P.
+**“Much of the public still harbored utopian expectations for a better electrified tomorrow which would include all citizens.”** It is captivating to see electricity in all households being seen as “the perfect world,” because it is such a common amenity in the not-so utopian world we live in today. But I guess that is what makes technology so interesting. It makes people constantly look for a more advancement, easier way of doing things, even when we have good technology as it is, we want to do better. It also shows the more difficult side of life-changing inventions. The creation of electricity was one of the most impactful inventions to ever happen, but with it came a lot of decisions that had to be sorted out at public, private, and government levels.-Kelsey Dean
+I think the fact that the general public’s initial reaction to electricity was that it was an “enlivening ‘juice’ that could rejuvenate the nervous system and free mankind from toil (182)” is one of the main reasons why it was so easy for private corporations and businessmen to institutionalize and advertise electricity as a commodity in America. “Americans treated electrification as a business rather than as a social service. (140-141)” Therefore, the spread of electricity from the wealthiest classes was so slow. It’s crazy to think that countries like Scandinavia, Germany, and Holland had goals to spread electrification to EVERY HOME while America was busy focusing on public-relation lighting spectacles to advertise the “product” of electricity, leaving most farmers and other rural citizens without lighting. **The American vs European mindset on electrification reminds me of how college tuition is looked at differently.** College is often-times treated as a commodity in America whereas many European countries offer free college tuition to their citizens. -Angie S
+**It seems that the first thirty to forty years of electricity in the United States was a struggle to find electricity’s identity in society. Should electricity be treated as a social service or as a business? ** The text uses the example of street traction to note how the spread of electricity in the United States correlated with the ability of businessmen to make money off of electricity (140). I found it interesting that th**e general public had a romantic notion about electricity, whereas the social elites were more pragmatic, viewing electricity as a “tool for social improvement”** (182-83). The text mentions how electricity that developed “far beyond functional necessity” was used as a method for advertising purposes (140). However, this rapid spread of electricity creates a dilemma, as the text articulates: “The more electricity seemed to be a natural part of life, the more it would appear to be a natural right” (184). -- Yousef Nasser
+This chapter on electricity was really interesting to read about because the development of electricity has changed overtime. One quote that stuck out at me was one made by Charles W. Eliot, in which he says “Electricity: carrier of light and power, devourer of time and space, bearer of human speech over land and sea; greatest servant of man - yet itself unknown. (Nye, 138). **What Eliot is saying in this statement is how electricity was interesting invention for society to discover, they did not have a clear understanding on how electricity actually worked.** There were some outlets that were very vocal about the development of electricity while other outlets were pretty silent on the topic.  It was also fascinating to see how  the different local and state governments were involved for electrical companies. In the chapter, it argues that “public utilities restricted to the region that local government controlled and private corporations that could develop into large entities by crossing city and state lines. (Nye, 139). - Rachel Kosmacki
 ==== Chapter 7, Rural Lines -- 287-291, 304-307, 314-317, 322-338 ====
-The rural areas were not prioritized when the electrification of America commenced. There were staunch conservative opponents who believed rural America was the "moral center" of the country and if technology were introduced, the balance between man and nature would be "threatened". As Nye mentioned early in chapter 7 (287), America had fallen behind globally in the agricultural sector's electrification. The defense for change laid at the feet of those claiming farming had undergone constant change since the twelfth century (291). As farmers became the face of an "out of touch" non-electrified culture, farmers began to slowly voice support in magazines and newspapers. Ford Motor Company, and others soon to follow, made short films to popularize rural electrification and popularity spread among the rural community.  --- //[[kmcgowan@umw.edu|McGowan Khayla J.]] 2017/02/22 20:09//
+The rural areas were not prioritized when the electrification of America commenced. **There were staunch conservative opponents who believed rural America was the "moral center" of the country and if technology were introduced, the balance between man and nature would be "threatened".** As Nye mentioned early in chapter 7 (287), America had fallen behind globally in the agricultural sector's electrification. The defense for change laid at the feet of those claiming farming had undergone constant change since the twelfth century (291). As farmers became the face of an "out of touch" non-electrified culture, farmers began to slowly voice support in magazines and newspapers. Ford Motor Company, and others soon to follow, made short films to popularize rural electrification and popularity spread among the rural community.  --- //[[kmcgowan@umw.edu|McGowan Khayla J.]] 2017/02/22 20:09//
-Both advocates and opponents of rural electrification acted in the interest of rural America, however their views on what was necessary came into conflict. On one side, advocates such as President Franklin Roosevelt believed was “no longer a luxury, it is a definite necessity.” On the other side, opponents such as Thomas Burton feared the damage that could be done by shoddy work and electrical fires. While there were real dangers from electrical fires and burst dams, there were many benefits as well, and President Roosevelt managed to pass legislation working towards the goal of rural electrification. -Nick Skibinski
+**Both advocates and opponents of rural electrification acted in the interest of rural America, however their views on what was necessary came into conflict**. On one side, advocates such as President Franklin Roosevelt believed was “no longer a luxury, it is a definite necessity.” On the other side, opponents such as Thomas Burton feared the damage that could be done by shoddy work and electrical fires. While there were real dangers from electrical fires and burst dams, there were many benefits as well, and President Roosevelt managed to pass legislation working towards the goal of rural electrification. -Nick Skibinski
 This chapter discusses the why and how of bringing electricity to rural areas, particularly farms. One reason was that people were trying to expand the use of electricity is because it was starting to be seen as a human right (304). Electricity did so many things for people that without it, Americans were not able to meet the standards of living at that time. Another reason to bring electricity to rural areas is to make the farms more appealing. After the start of the Great Depression. many people returned to farm work. The government wanted people to move back onto farms and had to find a way to encourage them to do so. --Kasey Mayer
+I found it interesting that when electricity was being widely used in America, the rural areas were left out, especially considering many people considered it to be a necessity because of how much easier it could make one's life. **It reminded me of today, when many rural areas either don't have internet or have internet that is incredibly slow. Internet companies don't consider it profitable to put in good or any internet because the internet would have to cover such a large area for a relatively small number of people. However, in today's world, the internet is truly necessary.** -Helen Salita
+I found it interesting how as the depression got worse a “growing number of social critics advocated getting ‘back to the land.’” There were numerous critics listed and they all were centralized around the same goal and topic of getting back into the old way of life of farming and working. Each critic varied on their reasons or ways to get back to agricultural work. Which reminded me of one of our previous readings and how artists pick what they want to highlight the most these critics chose how they wanted the audience to feel. -Megan Liberty
+I really enjoyed this week's reading because I found the argument surrounding the need against the want for electricity to be very fascinating. **The idea that when it was first introduced to the public, electricity took on this strange role in society, making it the center of an ethical battleground**. Similar to the arguments surrounding the expansion of railroads-- those in rural areas, who were still close to nature in a sense, became those who were morally sound, avoiding being corrupted by technology and her perceived burdens. This small "elite" who were essentially left out from progressing alongside the rest of the nation served the role of "purists" or the keepers of the old ways without ever being given the opportunity to even decide if they wanted to take on such a role. In the post Great Depression era, this thought shifted a bit as electricity was used to make agriculture look more appealing. - Danielle Howard