- The origins of 60-Hz as a power frequency (ieeexplore.ieee.org)
In 1891, Westinghouse engineers in Pittsburgh selected 60 Hz as their new power frequency. That same year, AEG engineers in Berlin selected 50 Hz as their new power frequency. Although much has happened since 1891, these two frequencies remain the principal power frequencies in use worldwide. Many people continue to be affected by the decisions on frequency standards made so very long ago. The author discusses the origins of 60 Hz as the power frequency now used in the USA. The author covers the work of Charles Scott, Benjamin Lamme and L.B. Stillwell of Westinghouse, the experimental period of 1821 to 1880, the light period from 1880 to 1890, the power and period of 1890 to 1925, and the period of systems interconnection from 1925 to 1990. Particular emphasis is given to the development of frequency for lighting systems and of frequency development in the USA, Europe and Japan.
- William Howard Taft (Wikipedia)
William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 – March 8, 1930) was the 27th president of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913, and the tenth chief justice of the United States, serving from 1921 to 1930, the only person to have held both offices. Taft was elected president in 1908, the chosen successor of Theodore Roosevelt, but was defeated for reelection in 1912 by Woodrow Wilson after Roosevelt split the Republican vote by running as a third-party candidate. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed Taft to be chief justice, a position he held until a month before his death.