87 pages • 2 hours read
The Last Days of Night
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
The Last Days of Night (2016) is a novel of historical fiction by Graham Moore, author of the The Sherlockian (2010). The story follows a young lawyer in New York City in 1888, as he attempts to discern who invented the light bulb: Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, or Nikola Tesla. The Washington Post named The Last Days of Night one of the best books of 2016.
Plot Summary
It is 1888 on the island of Manhattan, and electric light is a brand-new miracle of science. The young law prodigy, Paul Cravath, witnesses a workman accidentally electrified to death above a busy street. Later that evening, Paul meets with Thomas Edison. Edison is suing George Westinghouse, Paul’s client, over the patent for the light bulb.
Although Edison has invented a light bulb that uses a direct current (D/C) system, the technology is inefficient because a power source must always be near. Westinghouse has created a bulb that uses the more efficient and powerful alternating current (A/C), making it possible to light entire cities. Huge contracts are at stake regarding the future of A/C or D/C technology.
Edison is suing Westinghouse for patent violation, and Paul is countersuing.
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