William Stanley Jr. (November 28, 1858-May 14, 1916)

William Stanley Jr. was an American-born physicist, born in Brooklyn, New York.
During his career he was granted 129 patents for various electrical devices.
One of the most significant patents was in 1885 for the Induction Coil, Patent No. 349,611, which was the predecessor to the transformer.
He was known as the American Electrician. His first job was as electrician with one of the early manufactures telegraph keys and fire alarms. Stanley designed one of the first electrical installations at a Fifth Avenue, New York store. Shortly after that he was hired by George Westinghouse to be his chief engineer at his Pittsburgh facility. On March 20, 1886 Stanley demonstrated the first complete high-voltage alternating current (AC) power distribution system. His system allowed for the distribution of electric power over wide areas. It consisted of generators, transformers and high-voltage transmission lines.
In Great Barrington, Massachusetts he used his system to light offices and stores along Main Street. This was the location of his families West Avenue home.
Stanley was the first person to make a practical electrical transformer. This was the prototype for all future transformers and his AC distribution system that was the model for our modern electric power distribution systems.
In 1890 Stanley founded the Stanley Electric Manufacturing Co. in Pittsfield Massachusetts. Controlling interest in the company was purchased in 1903 by the General Electric Corp.