 
Electrifying America's Cities
In 1875, Charles F. Brush (1849-1929) invented the electric
arc lamp and the dynamo, devices which brought electric lights to the streets of
American cities, years before electric lights were available for homes. Brush was born on a farm near Cleveland, Ohio.
Throughout his childhood he had a love of anything scientific -- and he especially
loved working with electricity. He built an electrostatic generator when he
was only 12.
Brush attended Cleveland's Central High School,
well recognized as an excellent school that would support his interests.
At school Brush constructed an arc light that produced light by passing current
across two carbon electrodes. He graduated in 1867 as an honor
student and went on to study at the University of Michigan. After graduating,
Brush worked as a consulting chemist, but
then, after reestablishing a friendship with a boyhood friend, George Stockly,
he began to refocus on his love of electricity and lighting. Stockly -- then
vice president and gener al
manager of the Telegraph Supply Company of Cleveland -- decided to financially
back Brush. With funding, Brush began work on a dynamo, which would become
U.S. Patent No. 189 997, "Improvement in Magneto-Electric Machines", issued
April 24, 1877. The dynamo served as a low cost and reasonably efficient source
of electricity for the arc light, and helped make lighting a commercial industry.
 Next, Brush focused on the arc light, which was
not a new concept but at the time was impractical due to lack of consistent
regulation. Brush's solution was a reliable electromechanical regulator. It was first installed in
Cleveland in 1878, and
within a few years Brush arc light systems could be found brightening city
streets all
across the U.S. and Canada.
Over the next decade the Telegraph Supply Company
of Cleveland restructured, becoming the Brush Electric Company in 1880. Next, it
merged with the Thompson-Houston Electric Company, and then merged again with
the Edison General Electric Company, now known as the General Electric Company.
Brush eventually sold his interest in his inventions and went on to other
ventures, but is known for the arc lighting revolution he helped start.
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