Slogging through some abstracted notes from a history of Schuylkill County looking for oblique references to my ancestors, I found this series of comments entertaining. More like Vorsprung und Hintersprung und Vorsprung durch Technik.

1884 Dec. 22 - The Anthracite Electric Light Co., started the erection of their poles along Centre Street, but borough filed several objections and took down several poles, after which work was discontinued

1885 Mar. 21 - The Anthracite Light Co. had finished erecting their poles along Centre St. and were ready to string the light wires

1887 Mar. 15 - Engine at Potts. Electric light works was ruined in accident and town was out of electricity for week, going back to gas.