Minneapolis : battle between gas and electricity

• Minneapolis was a city that grew with sawmills, flourmills, banking and railroad. In 1850-there were 538 people and by 1910 there were 300,000. This entailed an innovative and promotional spirit.
  
  
• Gas lighting was there since 1870 but electricity caught the public eye from 1882. Electricity was being produced but not used in public lighting. The author points out that the reason being that the city mayor was also the president of the gas company.
  
  
• At the centre, a tower known as the electric moon was installed and it became the attraction of the city. The electric moon demonstrated electricity’s safety, effectiveness and elegance. The electric company began lighting the CBD. It was ornamental and good advertising. So the property owner also had to share the operation cost.
  
  
• The unsafe areas were first to get light.
  
  
• CBD as special areas to be lit. Commercialized luxury. Areas of advertising: lighting was necessary for commerce.
  
  
• ‘Street Beautiful’ concept caught up in Minneapolis. Ornamental lamp-posts signifying luxury that comes from leadership of the city in business.
  
  
• German cities emphasized equal provision whereas the other two cities lagged behind in that respect.
  
  
• We can conclude by saying that the nature of utility varied from place to place and street lighting was closely connected with the concepts of luxury and consumption as well as policing of the industrial cites.

A well- lit gas -Station in a dark street (Kanpur)