Electric Traction: Sprague´s Efforts in Railroad Electrification [Book Review]

This book details the life of Frank Julian Sprague and his efforts in railroad electrification. After reading this book, there is no doubt in his mind that Frank Julian Sprague should be considered the father of electric traction. The book begins with an informative description of the celebration to honor Sprague in 1932 on his 75th birthday. His boyhood beginnings are discussed along with technical evolutions that were being developed during that time. The book theorizes that his attendance at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876 had a lot to do with his drive toward technical innovation. The second and third chapters cover Sprague???s attendance at the Naval Academy at Annapolis and subsequent assignments and worldwide travels. The book does a great job of presenting the voraceous appetite for innovation and technical details that the young midshipman had at that time. The book continues with a fascinating overview of Sprague working in the environment of Menlo Park and his association with Edison. It includes some interesting written correspondence between Sprague and Edison. the next significant development that is covered is the formation of the Sprague Electric Railway and Motor Company and the real beginning of the concepts of electric traction.