Human Tech Tree
Researched1885 · Industrial Age (1700 – 1900)

Energy & Industry / Energy

Transformer

The closed-core transformer (1885) raises and lowers AC voltage, so power can travel far on thin wires and be used safely at home.

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Engineers Zipernowsky, Bláthy and Déri at the Ganz works in Budapest introduced the closed-core transformer in 1885, and William Stanley's 1886 system at Great Barrington showed AC distribution in practice. Without transformers long-distance power lines and city grids would not work.

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