Kayla Pollard
Logan Tueller
Jonathan Shoemaker

What is the most commonly overlooked feature? Alternating current(AC), a form of electricity, was the feature that our group decided to analyze. Our definition of the term engineering means being reworked to meet new challenges or are “engineering” these feats for the future. With this in mind AC meets these requirements and is “engineered” to supply extremely large amounts of power faster and more cost effective than the common direct current. Most people saw this as the future of electricity, some did not.
In comparing The Book of the Fair by Bancroft to “War on Currents” as well as Larson’s point of view in Devil in the White City all believe that AC was scientific advancement. Another point they could all agree on was how economically efficient AC was over direct current (DC). However they did differ, Larson told a story of Tesla and Westinghouse being the underdogs that outbid the electricity expert of the time. Whereas Bancroft didn’t view Tesla or Westinghouse as the underdogs but simply the creators of the amazing discovery. Another contrast between the two currents according to The Book of the Fair, alternating current could transport 10,000 volts over 28 miles of copper lines, whereas direct current wouldn’t be able to transfer 10,000 volts over 20 miles. The Book of the Fair and Devil in the White City’s point of view were both positive as they were looking at the affects it would have on the future. Whereas the article “War on Currents” talks about Edison’s drive to disprove AC at the time.
Looking at why the authors have different views is also in part to the time in which they were written. The Book of the Fair was written around the time the fair was opened. Knowing this we can see that the author themselves where in amazement by new engineering feats. Larson on the other hand published Devil in the White City in 2003 where he has already seen what AC can do his whole life. Whereas the War on Currents simply looked at the historical facts objectively viewing only its effects on society.
Bancroft’s interpretation of electricity is a lot more passionate and persuasive compared to Larson’s. He describes a world without light and “Suddenly a beam of light shoots like a falling star from the lofty dome of the Administration building, and a moment later its symmetrical outlines stand out in tracery of fire” (Bancroft). Through his words the readers who were not there were able to feel the stark contrast between the world before and during the evolution and advancement of electricity. “General Electric rather miraculously came back with a bid of $554,000. But Westinghouse, whose AC system was inherently cheaper and more efficient, bid $399,000” (Larson), his words were drab and straight to the point. The World’s Fair was all about proving how spectacular and innovative the country was compared to everyone else. Electricity was not a completely new concept but it was America and Chicago’s job to display electricity on a more grand scale.
During this time it was important to not only be seen as relevant and flashy, all the work that was being done with electricity was going to be crucial to the development of this world. At the World’s Fair the Electrical department worked to show practical uses for the electricity that was being created. This invention could be used to power railways, mining, and metal work along with all of these artistic things astounding the fair goers. By showing electricity’s diversity it was able to show its importance, and not be dismissed as a fad.

Cited information

Bancroft, Hubert H. “Electricity.” The Book of the Fair. Chicago: Bancroft, 1893. 407-10. World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. .

Larson, Erik. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America. New York: Crown, 2003. Print.

“War of the Currents.” PBS. PBS. Web. 18 Apr. 2016. .