New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-15
Engineer Noted for His
Many Achievements in
Electrical World.
WON EDISON MEDAL
FOR DISCOVERIES
Transmission of Power Over
Wires Revoiutionized by
His Work.
rRy Telegraph 70 The Tribune ]

Great harrington, Mass, May IA
William Stanley, one Of the foremost
inventors and engineers in the electri-
cal world and former vice-president OF
the American Institute of Electrical
Engineers, died here this morning. al
the age of fifty-eght years.
Mr. Stanley's most notable inven-
ton was the electrical transformer,
which made the alternating current
system Of long distance light and pow
er transmission a commercial posi-
bility. For this invention the Edison
medal was awarded TO him In 1912.
Among other devices he perfected were
the first watt hour meter, the first COM
pensated meter and the image genera
tor.
With Mr.. Stanley's discoveries cleo
trical transmission was revolutionized
Whereas previously a half mile had
been the limit Of transmission, by his
system power may be transmitted over
small wires, without appreciable loss
Of current. for distances up 70 $50
miles.
Among the important inventions per-
fected by Mr.. Stanley and others
Jointly is the inductor type OF genera
tor, known as the S. X. c. system, IN
honor of it's discoveries. John F. Kelly
and c. C. Chesney collaborating with
Mr.. Stanley.
Born in Brooklyn, November %, 1858,
the son of William and Elizabeth A.
Parsons Stanley, ne received his
carly education at Williston Seminary,
Easthampton, Mass. He then entered
Yale University. a member Of the class
Of 81.
An Associate Of Maxim
While at college he came interested
deeplv in matters electrical, ana de-
cided 70 devote himself to developing
the practical side OF this power, IN
which he saw great commercial posi-
bilities. Giving up his course at fale,
he became associated with other
nioneers in the field of electrical inven-
tion. One of these was Hiram Maxim
In 1885 Mr.. Stanley accepted the post
Of chief engineer of the Westinghouse
Electric and manufacturing Company,
of Pittsburgh. retaining that position
until 1888. when he moved to Greae
Darlington.
While with the Westinghouse con
corn Mr.. Stanley obtained his first pat
ents on the alternating current sys,,
tenn In 1890 Mr.. Stanley established
in pittsAeld, with Messrs. Kelly and
Chesney. the Stanley Electric Company,
the first concern TO develop the alter
Mating system. In 1905 the concern
was purchased by the General Electric
Company. Mr.. Stanley again deyoting
himself exclusively TO inventive enorN
Won Edison Medal.
M. Stanley was a member OF many
societies and received number OF
diplomas for his work, in addition TO
the Edison medal. He was a member
of the British Institution of Electrical
Engineers, and was actively prominent
in the American Institute of Electric
Engineers, Of which ne had been vice
president.
On December %, 1884, Mr.. Stanley
married Miss Lila C. Wetmore, Of En-
glewood, n. ]. Besides his wife. he
leaves nine children-William Stanley,
jr., who was associated with his father
in electrical research; Harold, George
c., former intercollegiate golf cham
pion; Leonard, Lila, Christine, Ruth
and twin sons, Gilbert and Clarence.
now freshmen at Yale. His mother
and a sister, Mrs Thomas Behan, OF
Pittsfeld, also survive him.
Funeral services will be held from
the family residence, Chestnutwood,
Great harrington, Tuesday afternoon
at 2:45 o'clock.