WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFAC TURING COMPANY, situated at East Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S.A., was founded by George Westinghouse (q.v.). In 1882, Westinghouse began the manufacture of direct-current electric lighting generators. After a study of alternating current devel opment and the purchase of many patent rights, George Westing house set up, with the assistance of William Stanley, a system which is the basis of present-day alternating-current generation and distribution. The first commercial alternating-current light ing plant was installed in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1886.
Later developments have been the alternating-current sys tem; the induction (Testa) motor; the rotary converter; the single-reduction-gear street-railway motor; the electro-pneumatic system of multiple-unit train control; the alternating-current sys tem of railway electrification, as exemplified by many American railroads ; the single-double-flow turbine ; the turbo-generator ; the floating-frame reduction gear for turbine-driven ships; and con tributions to the art of radio broadcasting. The best year for
the company was 1929 when sales were $216,364,588 and the num ber of employees was 49,985. The outstanding capital stock was $133,315,750. The former export department is now reorganized as the Westinghouse Electric International Company.(F. A. M.)