Quote:
Originally Posted by NewVista
25hz right into the 50s ! what were they thinking ?
Could have been worse: Canada could have adopted PAL  |
You have to consider that Toronto was one of the first electrified cities in the world. 25Hz was the first alternating current frequency. Once you establish a standard, it is always difficult to later change.
The availability of Niagara hydroelectric energy was very early (before 1900). Niagara power was transported via perhaps the world's first long distance high voltage corridor to Toronto. It was an enormous undertaking to make the switch to 60Hz in the '50's. I am surprised that 25Hz lasted into the color tv era!
In Toronto, the street railway system was fully electrified by 1893. I recall reading that the last horse drawn street railway car retired in that year. Eaton's Department Store building on Queen Street in Toronto, built in 1892-1893, was also fully wired for electrical lighting.
And also consider that the Rogers Radio company in Toronto was the first to sell fully 25Hz AC powered radio receivers in 1925: this was two years before RCA sold their first AC powered sets.
In hindsight 25Hz was a poor choice. But when you are an early adopter you must pay the price.