Hall of fame for electrical engineers-Elihu Thomson

The Edison Medal was proposed in 1904 during the observance of the 25th anniversary of Thomas A. Edisonʹs introduction of a successful electric lighting system. The medal was first given in 1909 with Elihu Thomson as the first recipient. He was cited for his "meritorious achievement in electrical science, engineering, and arts as exemplified in his contributions thereto during the past thirty years." Elihu Thomson was born 29 March 1853 in Manchester, England, although both his parents were Scottish. An economic depression caused the Thomson family to immigrate to the United States in 1858, where they settled in Philadelphia, PA. Elihu Thomson graduated from Central High School in 1870. Edwin J. Houston was a teacher at the school and subsequently became a partner with Thomson in various projects. Thomson and Houston designed and installed several small arc-lighting plants in Philadelphia during 1879. Thomson became a very prolific inventor and accumulated approximately 700 patents during his career. His patented inventions related to arc lighting became the basis for the formation of the American Electric Company in 1880.