Bergmann & Company Edison Chemical Meter, circa 1882
Add to SetSummary
To make money selling electricity, Thomas Edison had to know how much his customers used. This meter used electricity to plate zinc onto electrodes. By weighing the electrodes to see how much zinc had accumulated, Edison's company could calculate how much electricity was being used. Meters like this remained in service in some installations well into the 1890s.
To make money selling electricity, Thomas Edison had to know how much his customers used. This meter used electricity to plate zinc onto electrodes. By weighing the electrodes to see how much zinc had accumulated, Edison's company could calculate how much electricity was being used. Meters like this remained in service in some installations well into the 1890s.
Artifact
Meter (Measuring device)
Date Made
circa 1882
Creators
Place of Creation
United States, New York, New York
Creator Notes
Made by Bergmann & Company for the Edison Electric Light Company.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Made in America
Object ID
92.0.69.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Glass (Material)
Wood (Plant Material)
Dimensions
Height: 15 in
Width: 13.25 in
Width: 23.875 in (fully opened)
Length: 5.25 in
Width: 16.25 in
Inscriptions
cover: EDISON ELECTRIC LIGHT / TWO WIRE / METER SYSTEM / 12L / PATENTED
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