But the cost of batteries was too great and the use of the electric motor in transportation not yet practicable.
The great principle of the dynamo, or electric generator, was discovered by Faraday and Henry but the process of its development into an agency of practical power consumed many years; and without the dynamo for the generation of power the electric motor had to stand still and there could be no practicable application of electricity to transportation, or manufacturing, or lighting.

So it was that, except for the telegraph, whose story is told in another chapter, there was little more American achievement in electricity until after the Civil War.
The arc light as a practical illuminating device came in 1878.

It was introduced by Charles F.Brush, a young Ohio engineer and graduate of the University of Michigan.

Others before him had attacked the problem of electric lighting, but lack of suitable carbons stood in the way of their success.

Brush overcame the chief difficulties and made several lamps to burn in series from one dynamo.