American illuminations : urban lighting, 1800-1920 / David E. Nye.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nye, David E., 1946- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Street lighting--Social aspects--United States--History--19th century.

Street lighting.

Street lighting--Social aspects--United States--History--20th century.

City and town life--United States--History--19th century.

City and town life.

City and town life--United States--History--20th century.

History.

Social aspects.

United States.

Physical Description:

x, 280 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Massachusetts : The MIT Press, [2018]

Summary:

"No one writes about the electrified city better than David Nye. In this most recent tour de force, Nye explores the developing drama of urban illumination over more than a century of American history, examining the transition from gas to electricity, directly engaging its social, cultural, and political contexts, and exposing the often contentious and uneven paths emblematic of technological development. The breadth and depth of American Illuminations sheds brilliant light on the way American cities developed both technologically and culturally." Book jacket.

Contents:

Illuminations

Energy transitions

America and Europe

Moonlight towers

Events and expositions

Commerce

City beautiful

Politics of light.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780262037419

0262037416

OCLC:

993134378