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Technology, Lawfare, and Finance in the Birth of Electricity

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In the late 19th century, it was an open technological and economical question if the US electrical grid would be built with alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Both sides had strong inventors and financiers, with Thomas Edison backed by J.P. Morgan strongly favoring a DC grid, while Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse favoring an AC grid. Despite the pressure of patents, financiers, and the public, I argue that the technology intrinsics are determinative and drive the other pivot points in the path to infrastructure paradigm shifts. The adoption of AC could have looked very different, but I argue that AC would win no matter what as it was the superior technology at the time. This is not to say that developing great technology would be sufficient for lasting success. Capturing value and a smart use of social technologies matter just as much in the process of commercialisation. This is exemplified by the rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse and their respective companie

Technology, Lawfare, and Finance in the Birth of Electricity Jannik Schilling Technology, Lawfare, and Finance in the Birth of Electricity February 2, 2024 “The American way is to make money by creating wealth, not by suing people.” –Paul Graham In the late 19th century, it was an open technological and economical question if the US electrical grid would be built with alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Both sides had strong inventors and financiers, with Thomas Edison backed by J.P. Morgan strongly favoring a DC grid, while Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse favoring an AC grid

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