How Charles Brush Illuminated a City and Changed America Forever

Cleveland, Ohio. From the flickering flames of ancient torches, to the gas lamps of the 1800s, humanity has always sought ways to banish the darkness that covers our nights. The 1800s was a time when electricity was a new and mysterious force, and people were still trying to figure out a way to use its power. And this is where an idea was born, one that led to the dream of a future in the glow of electric light. And this was even before Thomas Edison's invention of the lightbulb. TIMELINE 1806: Davy introduced a more impactful form of electric lighting to the distinguished Royal Society in London. 1880: and the few who are still out at a late hour only have the dying light of oil lamps to walk around the town. 1934: when Cleveland was at the center of a series of brutal killings. WHY THIS MATTERS The story of Cleveland is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know. Episode 140 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-historyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy