Great Books About the History of the Appliance Industry

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If you’re like me, you love a good read that involves history, stories of perseverance, and success. Luckily for us, there are plenty of excellent books that involve the long and storied histories of the companies that have defined the home appliance markets, and by extension, everyday life for billions of people around the world. 

We looked at some of the best books about the industry titans of the home appliance industry that every history and business enthusiast simply must read.

Power Failure by William D. Cohan

An exceptionally detailed look at the long and storied history of General Electric, this is a book I’m currently reading. Simply put, I can’t put it down! Beginning at the very beginning of GE’s earliest days involving Thomas Edison, the book weaves a detailed look at how GE became one of the largest companies in history. While it’s certainly a long read, the stories of executive succession and the wild turns in the company’s fortune make for fascinating reading. 

Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Electrify the World by Jill Jonnes

While Thomas Edison is widely remembered as the man who electrified the world, the true story is far more complicated. Empires of Light tells the story of Thomas Edison, who was backed by General Electric, and Nikola Tesla, backed by the Westinghouse Corporation, and their decades-long fight to bring affordable electricity to the masses. 

The Network: The Battle for the Airwaves and the Birth of the Communications Age by Scott Woolly

While radios don’t feature as the premier appliance in most homes these days, it’s easy to forget the massive impact radios had at the start of the communications age. The Network tells the story of David Sarnoff, head of RCA, and his friend and inventor Edwin Armstrong, and the fight over the role of the radio in the modern age. The story involves corporate fist-fights, government regulation tussles, and the tragic end of a friendship that changed the world forever. 

Are there any appliance business books we missed? Let us know! Thanks for reading!

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