General Electric became a major corporation after adopting which technology?

• A. AC technology
• B. DC technology
• C. Steam power
• D. Solar energy

Answer: (A)

General Electric emerged as a significant corporation primarily due to its adoption of alternating current (AC) technology. This technology was crucial in the electric power industry, enabling the efficient transmission of electricity over long distances. AC technology allowed for the use of transformers, which could step up voltage for transmission and then step it down for safe use in homes and businesses. This capability made it possible to deliver electricity from power plants located far from urban centers, leading to broader electrification, which in turn drove industrial growth and consumer demand for electric appliances.

In the context of its rivalry with direct current (DC) technology, promoted by Thomas Edison, AC ultimately proved more advantageous for large-scale power distribution. General Electric's successful integration of AC systems positioned it as a leader in the burgeoning electrical empire, influencing how electricity would be generated and distributed well into the future.

The other options do not have the same historical impact on General Electric's rise as a major corporation. While steam power played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution, it was not the technology that propelled General Electric specifically. DC technology, although initially significant, was overshadowed by AC for mainstream power distribution. Solar energy, while increasingly important today, was not a factor during the time General Electric transformed into a major corporation.