# 945 - 1947 3c Thomas A. Edison
3¢ Thomas A. Edison
City: Milan, OH
Quantity: 156,540,510
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforations: 10 1/2x 11
Color: Bright red violet
Start Of The Electrical Age
Electric arc lighting had existed since the early 1800s, but the frequent need to replace carbon tips and bright light meant these were best used outside or in very large rooms. Throughout the 1800s, inventors experimented with incandescent electric lighting for use indoors.
Though the event is now considered to a monumental moment in history, at the time it was largely uncelebrated. The New York Times briefly mentioned it in their Miscellaneous City News section. While the station wasn’t an instant financial success, it proved Edison’s system worked. It also expanded significantly – to 10,000 lamps serving 513 customers within a year. Edison then built more stations in other parts of New York City and licensed similar systems for installation throughout America, Europe, and Japan over the next decade.
3¢ Thomas A. Edison
City: Milan, OH
Quantity: 156,540,510
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforations: 10 1/2x 11
Color: Bright red violet
Start Of The Electrical Age
Electric arc lighting had existed since the early 1800s, but the frequent need to replace carbon tips and bright light meant these were best used outside or in very large rooms. Throughout the 1800s, inventors experimented with incandescent electric lighting for use indoors.
Though the event is now considered to a monumental moment in history, at the time it was largely uncelebrated. The New York Times briefly mentioned it in their Miscellaneous City News section. While the station wasn’t an instant financial success, it proved Edison’s system worked. It also expanded significantly – to 10,000 lamps serving 513 customers within a year. Edison then built more stations in other parts of New York City and licensed similar systems for installation throughout America, Europe, and Japan over the next decade.