From Novelty to Utility
George Westinghouse and the Business of Innovation during the Age of Edison
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9623615 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Steven W Usselman (University of North Carolina at Charlotte, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1992 |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 251-304 |
| Publication date | 1992-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Business History Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0007-6805 • E-ISSN: 2044-768X |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.2307/3116939 |
| OpenAlex | W2315513812 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 25 |
This article argues that Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse, despite some shared characteristics in their approach to technical problems and a common interest in electric power, pursued distinct markets for innovation. Edison sold novelties to upper-class urbanites, whereas Westinghouse provided equipment to railroads and other industrial customers. As a consequence, the two entrepreneurs consistently exhibited different attitudes toward the process of innovation and different inclinations as businessmen. Westinghouse, more than Edison, foreshadowed the coming of corporate research and development
Art history · Economics · George (robot · Management · Novelty · Power (physics · American Environmental and Regional History · Australian Indigenous Culture and History · Historical Economic and Social Studies · History
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| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,22 |
| Citation span | 2003 - 2025 (23) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |