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AEIC Has a Heritage of
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Prologue:It is not often that an industry such as ours can have in its relatively few years of existence, since Edison invented the first practical incandescent lamp, what historians may well record as the most important material influence on the social and economic development of the human race. To have been a close collaborator with Edison in the early days of Central Station industry was the great privilege of the pioneer members of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC). History:Organized in 1885, the AEIC is the oldest association to be affiliated with the electric utility industry. The Association came into existence simply, because there were innumerable problems to be solved; because managers and operators wanted the experience of other Edison companies; they wanted to meet and exchange views and experiences in the management of their business.....they wanted to pool their common knowledge. Through a committee structure, AEIC began studying the problems of building and operating utility systems. Committee members were drawn from member companies, and the minutes of the various committee meetings were published and distributed to the Association’s members. Through the committees, the member companies developed a unity - directed toward their main objective - business success. Even in the early stages, a most valuable feature of the Association was the great interest manifested by the parent company and the manufacturing companies, whose practical aid and encouragement was invaluable, tending to better understanding of the real unity of interest which existed and which added greatly to the strength and knowledge of the Association. The history of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies is a printed one with volumes for each year of its existence, recording practically verbatim what each one had to say, who took part in discussions or presented papers. It is a fascinating story of the development of a great new industry from its birth and leaves for the record the imprints of men who have carried forward the record down through the years. Present:From the beginning, the Association’s work has prevailed under the impetus of the high standing of its members and its committees. The Association has laid its emphasis on the important basic problems and continues to do so. It continues to do the every day things it has always done for the benefit of its members, the industry and its customers, who are the public. It does so in the belief that its many contributions to the industry and its homogenizing influence on manufacturers co-operating with its high level technical committees are adequate returns. Through Association work, and inter-organizational relationships which exist at the present time, the best of many ideas, practices, and policies serve as the basis for co-ordinated activity that would be almost impossible otherwise. Without the Association, many experiences would be duplicated without general benefits and standardization that has come about would have been greatly delayed. The AEIC membership, represented more largely by chief executives who can speak for their company and determine policy, has endeavored to keep its committee membership up to the high standards which will command the respect of the industry and the cooperation of manufacturers. Unimpeded by publicity, one of the most important characteristics of the Association is the provision of a forum for high level private discussion of the problems of the industry. Closing:The Association of Edison Illuminating Companies has played an important part in shaping and stimulating the growth and development of the present utility industry from its inception. The Association has gone forward these many years and strives to continue making an important contribution to the welfare of our industry and to mankind. In time, tradition and influence, there is nothing quite like the AEIC.
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