{
  "id": 17405357,
  "title": "When Electric Cars Were for Women",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/when-electric-cars-were-for-women",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-31T13:00:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IEEE Spectrum",
    "slug": "ieee-spectrum",
    "url": "https://spectrum.ieee.org/early-electric-vehicles"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The early 20th century saw the rapid growth of the automobile industry in the United States. In 1898, there were approximately 50 carmakers, but by 1910, that number had increased to 181,000. During this time, electric cars competed with steam and internal combustion vehicles. Each technology had its own set of challenges, such as fire risk for steam-powered vehicles and planning required for charging electric cars. Additionally, the infrastructure for long-distance travel was not yet developed. Electric cars were seen as a viable alternative for women due to their ease of use and lack of noxious exhaust. General Electric, a major player in the industry, even created advertisements featuring women using their electric car chargers. Peter Cooper Hewitt, an electrical engineer, invented the mercury-arc rectifier, a device that converted alternating current into direct current for charging car batteries. Fannie Goodnow, a well-to-do woman living in the Boston area, was an early adopter of electric vehicles. She owned a 1908 Bailey Victoria Phaeton and used a GE mercury-arc rectifier to charge it. The battery used in Goodnow's car, an Edison alkaline battery, proved to be unreliable, leading to changes in the battery technology.",
  "summary": "At the turn of the last century, the automobile industry was still new and evolving rapidly. In 1898, there were about 50 carmakers in the United States. A decade later, that number had increased fivefold. In 1901, the companies produced 7,000 vehicles. By 1910, production had reached 181,000. For several decades, electric cars vied with those powered by steam and internal combustion, and nobody…",
  "key_points": [
    "Electric cars competed with steam and internal combustion vehicles in early 20th century US.",
    "General Electric created ads featuring women using electric car chargers.",
    "Fannie Goodnow, a wealthy Boston woman, adopted electric vehicles in 1908."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}