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Story
June 9, 1927
The Dickenson County Herald
Clintwood, Dickenson County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Lewis A. Lewis speaks to the Spokane Chamber of Commerce Industrial Committee, emphasizing electricity's dominance in modern life by imagining a sudden, permanent cessation of all electric services, which would paralyze business and civilization like a catastrophe akin to Pompeii.
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ELECTRICITY DOMINANT FACTOR IN PRESENT-DAY LIFE.
Addressing the Industrial Committee of the Spokane, Washington, Chamber of Commerce, Lewis A. Lewis said:
"Suppose for a moment that all electric service in any city should suddenly cease forever; that telephones everywhere went out of commission, that radio, so recently found, was lost, that trolley lines stopped, ignition on the autos failed to function, that electrically-driven industry stood still, police signals and fire alarms failed to work and fire pumps failed to pump water to the heights, and when night came, darkness could no longer be dissipated by pressing a button or snapping a switch, the streets remained in gloom and citizens everywhere had to carry candles.
"A moment's reflection will show that such a catastrophe would strike the city a blow almost as overwhelming as that which struck Pompeii. Older means of lighting and locomotion could be resumed, but the most distinguishing features of modern life and present day civilization would become like the tombs of the ancient Egyptians. Business would be literally paralyzed."
Addressing the Industrial Committee of the Spokane, Washington, Chamber of Commerce, Lewis A. Lewis said:
"Suppose for a moment that all electric service in any city should suddenly cease forever; that telephones everywhere went out of commission, that radio, so recently found, was lost, that trolley lines stopped, ignition on the autos failed to function, that electrically-driven industry stood still, police signals and fire alarms failed to work and fire pumps failed to pump water to the heights, and when night came, darkness could no longer be dissipated by pressing a button or snapping a switch, the streets remained in gloom and citizens everywhere had to carry candles.
"A moment's reflection will show that such a catastrophe would strike the city a blow almost as overwhelming as that which struck Pompeii. Older means of lighting and locomotion could be resumed, but the most distinguishing features of modern life and present day civilization would become like the tombs of the ancient Egyptians. Business would be literally paralyzed."
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Disaster
What themes does it cover?
Catastrophe
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Electricity Dependence
Modern Catastrophe
City Paralysis
Spokane Speech
Technological Failure
What entities or persons were involved?
Lewis A. Lewis
Where did it happen?
Spokane, Washington
Story Details
Key Persons
Lewis A. Lewis
Location
Spokane, Washington
Story Details
Lewis A. Lewis imagines a sudden permanent halt to all electric services in a city, causing telephones, radio, trolleys, auto ignition, industry, police signals, fire alarms, pumps, and lighting to fail, leading to paralysis of business and modern civilization comparable to Pompeii's destruction.