page_title: Electrification
section_title: Pre-electric power
hierarchical_section_title: Electrification / Benefits of electrification / Pre-electric power
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Batteuse 1881 Deutsch: Zeichnung einer göpelbetriebenen Dreschmaschine aus einem technischen Lexikon des Jahres 1881 English: Drawing of a horse-powered thresher from a French dictionary (published in 1881)
context_page_description: Electrification is the process of powering by electricity and, in many contexts, the introduction of such power by changing over from an earlier power source. The broad meaning of the term, such as in the history of technology, economic history, and economic development, usually applies to a region or national economy. Broadly speaking, electrification was the build-out of the electricity generation and electric power distribution systems that occurred in Britain, the United States, and other now-developed countries from the mid-1880s until around 1950 and is still in progress in rural areas in some developing countries. This included the transition in manufacturing from line shaft and belt drive using steam engines and water power to electric motors.
  The electrification of particular sectors of the economy is called by terms such as factory electrification, household electrification, rural electrification or railway electrification.
context_section_description: "One of the inventions most important to a class of highly skilled workers (engineers) would be a small motive power - ranging perhaps from the force of from half a man to that of two horses, which might commence as well as cease its action at a moment's notice, require no expense of time for its management and be of modest cost both in original cost and in daily expense." Charles Babbage, 1851
  
  To be efficient steam engines needed to be several hundred horsepower.  Steam engines and boilers also required operators and maintenance.  For these reasons the smallest commercial steam engines were about 2 horsepower. This was above the need for many small shops.  Also, a small steam engine and boiler cost about $7,000 while an old blind horse that could develop 1/2 horsepower cost $20 or less.  Machinery to use horses for power cost $300 or less.  
  Many power requirements were less than that of a horse.  Shop machines, such as woodworking lathes, were often powered with a one- or two-man crank.  Household sewing machines were powered with a foot treadle; however, factory sewing machines were steam-powered from a line shaft.  Dogs were sometimes used on machines such as a treadmill, which could be adapted to churn butter.
  In the late 19th century specially designed power buildings leased space to small shops.  These building supplied power to the tenants from a steam engine through line shafts.
  Electric motors were several times more efficient than small steam engines because central station generation was more efficient than small steam engines and because line shafts and belts had high friction losses.
  Electric motors were more efficient than human or animal power.  The conversion efficiency for animal feed to work is between 4 and 5% compared to over 30% for electricity generated using coal.
caption: Threshing machine in 1881.
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