Heroes, Herds and Hysteresis in Technological History: Thomas Edison and ‘The Battle of the Systems’ Reconsidered

Abstract

This chapter looks at the development of electric lighting and power supply networks in terms of the battles waged around 1887-1892 between proponents of direct and alternative current systems of electrical supply in order to raise questions about technical progress as a continuous flow. Utilizing the physics concept of hysteresis as the persistence of an altered state when the force that caused alteration ceases, the chapter concentrates on the critical moments or ‘points of bifurcation’ in the dynamic of technical change that are prone to appear at the early stages of an incremental process. The chapter concludes from its reading of the ultimate victory of alternative over direct currents of electrical supply that innovation implies not so much the work of unique creative attitudes in the manner of the classic Schumpeterian entrepreneur, as it does the occupation of a pivotal situation during comparatively brief moments of industrial development when the balance between choices can go either way.

The curvilinear relationships between responsive and proactive market orientations and new product performance: A contingent link

“…Since performance depends on the potential return of an activity and a firm's competence in this activity, firms exhibit increasing returns to experience (March, 1991). Positive mutual feedback between experience and competence produces strong path dependency (Ahuja & Lampert, 2001;David, 1990) and brings a firm into a familiarity trap. Here, competence improvements in existing procedures inhibits experimentation with other procedures and makes the search for new ideas less attractive (Levinthal & March, 1993;Levitt & March, 1988;March, 1991).…”

Different expectations: A comparative history of structure, experience, and strategic alliances in the U.S. and U.K. poultry sectors, 1920–1990

“…The explanatory power of structural metaphors for historical time has proven strongest in evolutionary theory, path-dependency theory, and life-cycle theory (Argyres & Liebeskind, 1999;Arthur, 1989;David, 1985;David, 1992;Jack, Dodd, & Anderson, 2008). Yet with explanatory elegance comes the high cost of determinism.…”

Innovation and Diffusion

“…Earlier examples of standards battles are the competition between AC and DC methods of distributing electricity (David 1990a), and the failure of gas-powered refrigerators to succeed in the market despite their apparent efficiency, because of the sponsorship of electric power by GE and Westinghouse (Rogers 1995). Nevertheless, it is clear that the importance of this phenomenon has increased recently, with increase in information and communication technologies.…”