I thought it was interesting that the hundreds of American Street Railways built were mostly private ventures for those private investors that helped bring along the development of the “Old Horsecar Lines.” These investors were the ones that mainly focused on Real Estate. An example of someone doing something for a city, however, Henry M. Whitney would put six streetcar companies together to “monopolize” Boston public transit, which in turn would stimulate the sales of the property that he owned that was along a boulevard adjacent to Brookline. – Hunter Dykhuis

In the early twentieth century, contained electricity was a revolutionary invention that I believe heavily influenced and strengthened American capitalism. Unlike countries in Europe, ”Americans treated electrification as a business rather than a social service.” (140-141)

The early days of electricity put stress on policy, as there were different protocols regarding public and private use, in addition to direct vs alternating currents.

Do we in the 21st century still hold the notion that the more electric power there is over alternatives, such as oil & coal, the closer society will be to utopia? Are fully electric products still associated with wealth & status? (Think Tesla vehicles.) (–Nate Stringer)

I found it interesting to read about Theodore Roosevelt's view on farming and electricity. When he found only 2% of American farms had electricity, he agreed they should be able to “have that power.” They need it for transportation, lighting, and most importantly, for the ability to perform on the farm. Why would the American government not want this to be a priority? It said event he European governments made this a key part in development. As the book states, “ American government only pointed to the problem and expected farmers to organize and secure electrical service for themselves.” (p.288) I know they found it “unrealistic”, but even if it wasn't, why would they assume the farmers, with such low numbers in the first place, were able to easily establish this? — Erika M