the harnessing of electricity is as important in human history as the first uses of fire.

naturally, nothing remains of fire’s human origins.  but the emergence of electricity is dramatically represented by the surviving light sconces from chicago’s historic fisk street generating station. 

upon starting operations in 1903, the fisk street generating station represented the power of electricity coming of age. 

widely heralded upon opening as the “eighth wonder of the world, it was a symbol of technological perfection emerging from previous decades of experiments and uncertainties.

the marvel of its unprecedently powerful steam turbines deserved better than a utilitarian building away from public view. the respected architectural firm of shepley, rutan & coolidge created a symbolic showcase where visitors were welcomed to witness a new technological age amidst an environment of contemporary taste and elegance.

as visitors viewed the rows of mighty turbines from a public viewing balcony, they could simultaneously witness what was created via ornamental cast-iron light sconces lining the walls.

appropriately, the backplate of the wall sconces depict a historically-based symbol of lighting the darkness as well as human knowledge and achievement – the flaming torch of ancient greece.  a highly ornamental bracket merging classical and contemporary forms ended with a glowing glass globe powered by the giant turbines immediately below.

visitors from around the world came to witness this technological phenomenon – even electrical pioneer thomas alva edison himself.

only eight years after its opening, the historical milestone represented by fisk street was honored by placing one of its original turbines as a monument at the headquarters of general electric in schenectady, new york,  where it still remains today as an engineering landmark. 

the fisk street facilities were documented in 1987 by the historic american engineering record of the library of congress.

changes to equipment and interior features occurred repeatedly during fisk street’s operations, which concluded in 2012 with the environmental phasing-out of coal powered electrical plants.