Westinghouse Type A Polyphase Wattmeter, 1903-1906
Add to SetSummary
In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used -- and then charge them accordingly. Paul McGahan, a Westinghouse electrical engineer created a practical polyphase wattmeter in 1899 to measure electric power usage. This design was adopted by other companies and remained a standard well into the mid-1900s.
In the late 1800s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a way to measure how much customers used -- and then charge them accordingly. Paul McGahan, a Westinghouse electrical engineer created a practical polyphase wattmeter in 1899 to measure electric power usage. This design was adopted by other companies and remained a standard well into the mid-1900s.
Artifact
Wattmeter
Date Made
1903-1906
Collection Title
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Made in America
Object ID
29.1333.16
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.
Material
Metal
Color
Black (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 12 in
Width: 7 in
Length: 4.5 in
Inscriptions
on front: WESTINGHOUSE, ELEC & MFG. CO. / PITTSBURG, PA., U.S.A. POLYPHASE / WATTMETER
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