Founder of GE, Born in 1853, Talks About the 1870s & 1880s: Enhanced Video [60 fps]

General Electric Company was formed in 1892, with Elihu Thomson's Thomson-Houston Electric Company merging together with Edison General Electric Company. The interview was filmed on June 21, 1932. Here, Elihu is discussing with one of his former students, E.W Rice, his inventions and work in the 1870s & 1880s, some of which he had accomplished while still working as a high school teacher at Central High School in Philadelphia, PA.
For this video, I colorized it using AI optimization software, interpolated it to 60 frames/second, speed-adjusted it and refined it with De Blur, Sharpness and Stabilization. For the audio, I remastered it using noise gate, compression, loudness normalization, EQ and a Limiter.
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Elihu Thomson was born March 29, 1853, in Manchester, England. His father, who worked as a mill mechanic, was thrown out of work in 1857 and decided to emigrate to the United States. In 1858 the family settled in Philadelphia, where Elihu grew up. His father's work as a mechanic stimulated Thomson's interest in mechanical and chemical processes. From his early teens he read widely, built models, and conducted simple chemical experiments. At Philadelphia's Central High School Thomson was an outstanding student who attracted the interest of his instructors. Upon graduating in 1870 he was offered a teaching position at the school.
Between 1870 and 1880 Thomson taught high school in Philadelphia. At the same time he and a fellow teacher named Edwin J. Houston experimented with electricity and succeeded in building a practical electric arc lighting system. In 1879 a group of New England businessmen took an interest in the Thomson-Houston arc lighting system and offered to finance its fabrication.
In 1880 Thomson moved to New Britain, Connecticut, as the company's chief engineer. By 1881 Thomson had designed the best arc lighting system in the country, but sales were slow. In 1882 a group of Lynn, Massachusetts,
businessmen purchased the company and changed the name to the Thomson-Houston Electric Company.
This video is made for educational purposes for fair use under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.

[@JGHOST-gp3px]

Basically watching a podcast from 90 years ago!

[@Joy-TheLazyCatLady2]

Right? 😂😂😂

[@seandelap8587]

It's so much more fascinating hearing history from word of mouth from someone who lived through it rather than on a history book.

[@tomjones2202]

Absolutely!

[@johnstrawb3521]

"Well, to be honest, I suppose you'd have to say I invented everything." Wonderfully understated fellow

[@johnstrawb3521]

"Well, to be honest, I suppose you'd have to say I invented everything." Wonderfully understated fellow

[@cynthiaennis3107]

Oh, for sure!

[@Chrisg288]

actually I find the written story much more interesting.

[@AllenKll]

Excellent. As an Electrical Engineer myself, to hear this is fascinating. To be alive at that time, to have come up with the novel ideas that we take for granted today, was an amazing feat. And to hear these men talk about it is enthralling.

[@herranton]

How do you know if someone is an engineer?

[@robseal2007]

WE did this and WE did that. I like that they instinctively though of themselves as a team. Modestly was either part of the culture itself, or part of that key group in particular.

[@riverraisin1]

And to think he was a high school "professor'.

[@libertylady1952]

Listening to the old cadence of their speech is delightful. I can remember hearing older people speaking like that when I was a child.

[@ictkanzin5314]

These men are so articulate and eloquent when compared to speakers today.

[@twistoffate4791]

And I bet they can read & write, unlike too many people today.

[@kylefenrick9168]

Children emulate their parents

[@twistoffate4791]

@@kylefenrick9168 That's very true.

[@kylefenrick9168]

@@twistoffate4791 that speaks to educators and parents. Maybe if there was less effort on coming up with a word to describe how one enjoys using their genitalia, there would be ample time to learn.

[@twistoffate4791]

@@kylefenrick9168 Oh, so that's what you really wanted to say. This isn't a genitalia discussion page.

[@gdog7391]

It’s fascinating how colour makes these gents seem so much closer to us today, great job. In my head, anything prior to 1930’ish is typically considered pre-historic especially when reviewing content that is black and white. However colour makes it so much more relatable

[@explorepikespeak]

An extra treat with this video: in the background are cars of the 1920s and 30s driving by. Even more extra special was the clattering noise of the trolley car passing by at about 4 minutes in. Wow, those things were loud. Loved it.

[@twistoffate4791]

Glad you mentioned this, as it has been an absolute delight watching the various things go by in the background. Had to watch this twice to just watch the background, which I agree is most fascinating.

[@Kieop]

Especially since they were talking about the development of electric streetcars.

[@Bossman525]

“ I first met you in 1800 and 76”. That little dialogue there sends a sense of chill considering the cloud filming and full video interview here. Here mr typing on my smart phone watching this.

[@seandelap8587]

I absolutely love this channel.

[@Michiganbartman]

Love the cars going by in the background.

[@holleyjomartinez4009]

Yes! Me too! 🥰

[@sirhcffoh294]

All those drivers are dead now.

[@crazyelf3839]

There are many restored recordings of interesting individuals who were alive in the 1800's. Telling how it was when they were alive!

[@roberto1519]

Any channel specific for that?

[@crazyelf3839]

@@roberto1519 The history channel for one. Do some research!

[@tristanmalo9185]

Please never stop making these videos; it's hard to find better content than what you have provided us with this channel. I love to hear the stories, their lives, and their most fond memories. Thank you for making these videos.

[@rodrigogalvao3798]

a train passing by as he talks how he had it revolutionized

[@skepticalgenious]

Imagine showing these gentlemen how much further science has come.

[@CamiloHPNunes]

The way they speak, the way their gestures are, the emphasis that they give to certain words, theyr maneirisms, the way they interact with each other... its all very diferent not only from nowadays but also from people born in the 1900's

[@thommysides4616]

Yes sir're Bob.... You can sure say that again!!! Ha ha.....

[@josephjohnson5446]

This history is just fascinating!

[@joshmachovsky3930]

This is truly history come alive. We all have a story to tell and we all matter. I appreciate you uploading all these videos. Keep up the good work!

[@larryparker8677]

What is truly amazing is the amount of education these individuals have and Mr. Thomson is a high school teacher!

[@ChaimkeProductions]

when he was a kid in the 1850s he met people born in the 1700s - let hat sink in! (age of pirates bucaneers)

[@julievanderleest]

I love history and this is such a great video to watch. There’s nothing better than hearing about history from someone who lived through it.

[@ResidentOfTheAbyss]

Just think that man was a high school teacher at the time of General Custer’s last stand.

[@bluedemonboxster6831]

Consider he could be anyone's high school chemistry teacher, changing the world in his free time.

[@riverraisin1]

As if on cue, an electric trolley goes by while they're talking about the electric railway. What started out as an annoyance, as I was trying to listen to them talk, became a huge treat for me. Electric trollies (streetcars, traction companies) were in practically every city, small and large, in the late 19th, early 20th century. They always fascinated me, being born after they went away.

[@pacmania1982]

I could listen to these two for hours. I did think it was quite funny to hear them talking about electric trains and a loud train in the background almost drowned them out.

[@NinjaNuggets21]

This man was old when Tesla and Edison were alive. Many thanks to whomever preserved this video

[@1122khrys]

The train passing by as he was reminiscing, was so fitting!!

[@MonkeyspankO]

I bet there are a lot of treasures like this (treasures of information) hidden, forgotten or just plain abandoned in physical film archives around the world. Its always gratifying to see when some have been found, rescued, digitized and made available for all to see!

[@thejr.historian365]

thankylu kindly for posting this gem

[@bevinboulder5039]

What a great channel! Kudos to the people who filmed these interviews when the people who lived the history were still alive.

[@barbaradownie3265]

THANK YOU FOR THESE PRECIOUS VIDEOS 💜💜💜

[@terryanderson8354]

Definitely one of my favorite channels! I can't thank you enough for preserving and sharing these invaluable time capsules for the rest of us.

[@williampalenik7306]

Another great job of remastering this old film and colorizing it

[@jamesc8259]

Amazing video. Really cool he talks about the electric railway system as a trolly rolls by

[@atomicspid2129]

If he was 12 in 1865, he might’ve remembered when Lincoln was shot. That’s pretty interesting.

[@PracticerOfMetta]

Fascinating that they were called high school professors back then.

[@bandit_of_trash]

It feels as though I'm watching the first ever talk show to exist.

[@JMJMJ1]

I love the old cars driving by in the background

[@proudamerican4050]

Absolutely fascinating I love this channel ❤

[@spiritualED]

Those chairs look super comfortable. 😉

[@paulie609]

This stuff is just fantastic. Thank you for putting these together!

[@kpj805]

Outstanding!

[@cynthiaennis3107]

I’d heard they’d had electric cars back in the day! Thank you!

[@Stafford-d8u]

How genuine and amazing

[@MJW66]

Absolutely amazing the level of service to others & intellect compared to what you see today at many universities.

[@roderickreilly9666]

So many people back then spoke with a clipped accent. Fascinating!

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆👍🇺🇲🙏 Thank you for sharing

[@Joy-TheLazyCatLady2]

GE, we bring good things to light. 🎶🎹📻

[@curtgomes]

The electric street car passing in the background was very interesting to see indeed!

[@riverbender9898]

Amazing! Thank you.

[@cherylangel1714]

Interesting. Just hearing about the 1930's would have been cool too.

[@archangel_one]

I wish we had this in history class!

[@zombifiedpariah7392]

1:07 That's the first time I've ever heard anyone pronounce it "Haw-stinn" instead of "Hyuu-stinn" lol

[@bluedemonboxster6831]

That's modern American English for you. If you observe the spelling he IS pronouncing it properly.

[@seancraig7773]

I assume he's right, since Edwin Houston was his partner, but hilariously the Houston in Scotland that both the name and the city originate from is pronounced yet another way: "Hoo-sten."

[@zombifiedpariah7392]

@@bluedemonboxster6831 I don't care. It's Hyoo-stinn now.

[@riverraisin1]

Kind of as a joke I pronounce Houston, TX as "how-stun". Evidently, I was right all along. 😅

[@samrindge8042]

Houston Street in New York City is named after William Houstoun. It's pronounced How-sten instead of Hyoo-sten like the city.

[@eaton55r]

Thank You... Good Work!

[@thedreadtyger]

They call this field of their endeavor an Art, and not a Science, and they are surely right so to do. Science proposes an investigation into nature and pursues it as an end to itself. Engineering, taking note of the knowledge thus gained, uses it not only to solve the problems of life in this world but to invent new uses for problems not yet encountered. Shall we say that Science discovers and Engineering invents?

[@igorslocks]

Great point & eloquently stated. Igor agrees & approves.

[@americanlostinvietnam3721]

Talking about the railway and a trolley rolls by in the background.

[@dtm6215]

Interesting!!

[@samnaga310]

Excellent

[@johnpettipas3763]

WONDERFUL , VERY WELL DONE 👏 ✔️

[@JoeStumbo]

Elihu Thomson is this man's name.

[@KrazyJohnny]

People back then talked slow and to the point

[@mistywaters5550]

Total bonus to see the roadster driving by in the background!! these gentleman are in their late 70's early 80's. If you look their skin is tight and their hands are straight, unlike most elderly in our generation.. This makes me wonder why our elderly now are less healthy in that way

[@DiscoDrew]

The film isn’t the original. It has been enhanced and colourised.

[@123Mathzak]

Smoking, drinking, late nights and treating people like garbage will do that to you.

[@dorothywillis1]

You are making too large a generalization. In general people are healthier now than then.

[@123Mathzak]

@@dorothywillis1 We have so many more health resources now, yet I haven’t seen a single fat guy from before the year 1900.

[@dorothywillis1]

@@123Mathzak Considering there are fewer photos from back then that's not surprising. But have you ever seen a photo of President Taft?

[@angr3819]

I keep forgetting that in the USA you count the 1800's as the whole century. In the UK we only count up to the year 1809 as the 1800's. We say "the 19th century" for 1800 to 1899.

[@bartobruintjes7056]

In the Netherlands we have the same.

[@BeingFireRetardant]

Everybody uses that. Not unique to Britain. But when you are referring to the 1800's in specific years you say 1883, etc.

[@tmurphy0919]

So 1810 isn't considered to be within the 1800s? That's ridiculous. Fun Fact: The entire world refers to the 1800s as the 19th century when you're talking about the Gregorian calendar. You should get out more.

[@angr3819]

@@tmurphy0919 Don't be so rude! You clearly don't live in the UK so have no idea. We also refer to 1800-1809 as the 19th century, and this includes the 1800's. When we specifically mean the first 9 years of a century we state the number of the century and add 00's. There is nothing ridiculous about also calling those years the 1800's because that is what they are. The years from 1810 onwards aren't referred to as the 1800's here because they aren't 18010, 18011 etc. There is not 0 after the number for the century but preceeding the numbers for the year. It couldn't be more sensible. As far as I know there are many other countries which do the same in Europe and elsewhere. The fact you were taught differently doesn't mean that your way of communicating the time period is better. It is different but not superior. I clearly wasn't criticising the USA method. I was merely pointing out the difference. You could have learned from what I explained instead of taking it as an opportunity to troll.

[@angr3819]

@@BeingFireRetardant Yes, almost but slightly different. We say eighteen hundreds only for the years up to eighteen hundred and nine. After that, if we are speaking about the whole century we don't say eighteen hundreds, we say eighteenth century.

[@theresa_lili]

He said that he first met him in EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SIX....

[@dorothywillis1]

He just misspoke, as we all do at times. The error was immediately corrected.

[@mclum77]

🎯

[@thommysides4616]

Someone born on the day they filmed this would now be over 91 years old!!! So, even an old timer today would have never gotten a chance to talk to such men.....from their era. Unless of course....they lived to be nearly 100 themselves....lol. Time sure goes by. Someone from the year 2232 will one day look at us, through our movies and videos. I wonder what they will think of us and our time?

[@ChaimkeProductions]

i swear this has been uploaded 3 times already

[@TrumpDesantis-zm3kg]

In a way we would have been better off if people this brilliant never existed

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

Why can't I save this video

[@MonigMedia]

So this is the first vlog

[@mclum77]

Did you catch it? 883, then "corrected" 1883.☺️ they knew ...

[@scottmorrow9794]

900 viewers yet bimbo music people have 100s of millions

[@dirtisbetterthandiamonds]

The car that goes by around the 2:13 mark 😮

[@RamiShreds]

I wonder what these two chaps are up to now

[@nosecondplace6833]

But it`s so much better for our school kids to here the grievance of weirdos and freaks...

[@factsoverfiction7826]

Why air your own gossipy grievance here? We're listening to an electrical engineer who made modern life possible.

[@tomlambert915]

👍

[@TheCaesar429]

I wonder where that car that passed by was going...

[@riverraisin1]

Into the future.....

[@mikelray3965]

Who invented the dynamos he speaks of?

[@mirfangu]

it was kind of like you born in 1953 and interview in 2032, talking your life in 1960s 1980s. sooner later...

[@joeanonymous1834]

The music is silly. And the subtitles are an unnecessary and annoying distraction. Other than that, thanks.

[@reversingglobalwarming9431]

Notice how nobody hacked phones back then they really had privacy . This World is fucked up because of technology

[@americanlostinvietnam3721]

Was Houston pronounced differently back then? Howsten, huh

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

We need industry like this again in the USA, to get it we need capitalism only restricted for safety, that means the end of corporate fascism also.

[@debeholland]

Did anyone catch that he said . . . 876 NOT 1876 . . . clue to the 1,000 year off on our dates????

[@dorothywillis1]

He just misspoke, as we all do at times. The error was immediately corrected.

[@mclum77]

🎯 people know what year they're in, fresh and for others to brush it off is heiracy.

[@redjive4182]

You misheard him, he said eighteen hundred & seventy-six.

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

👍👍

[@joeguzman3558]

Thinking Men at work

[@maltespielt5566]

Interesting that he (on the left) has not the typical american accent. For example in "later", he doesnt pronounce the last "r". Why is that?

[@mylucidlife495]

Forgive my ignorance, but it sounds like this guy keeps calling this work an "art". If so, that is pretty interesting. Electricity work is art work to this guy. I may be wrong.

[@bluedemonboxster6831]

He says "arc," as in electrical arc.

[@mylucidlife495]

@@bluedemonboxster6831 thank you. I wasn't sure I was hearing right.

[@bluedemonboxster6831]

The creative processes of design and invention ARE - in many ways - art.

[@mylucidlife495]

@@bluedemonboxster6831 I watched it again. And I read the words on the side. He does say art. One of the times is at around 5:33

[@mclum77]

Did you hear him say "development"? Then later he says invention. All of these things were already here.

[@renet0x156]

Elihu is my middle name 😊

[@darkone292]

Does he mention how he destroyed teslas secrets, so he could stay wealthy?

[@stallion78]

I thought JP Morgan started GE

[@Tony-1950]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@antiposeur6]

Certain interruptions are ok to me if necessary, but just to stay on top of the conversation is rude af.

[@Seanyz]

So it is pronounced “HOW-STON” lol

[@palominodenilsonandre2131]

xddddd

[@deepseadweller687]

High School teachers THEN were smarter than College professors now😂

[@poopdeckpappy2658]

Back then our public school systems cranked out great men and listening to this prof, it’s easy to understand why. From that to hey kids, “It’s drag queen story time.” 🤦‍♂️

[@riverraisin1]

Back then not many kids attended high school. They went to work after the 8th grade. Only students who wanted higher learning attended HS.

[@angelgering2501]

@@riverraisin1 Kids who dropped out by the 8th grade and went to work were probably better educated and certainly had a better work ethic than most of the college graduates today. Radical left-wing professors filling out young people's minds with garbage is the worst thing to happen to America in 100 years.