With electricity, energy became invisible and without odor, sound or weight. However, even electricity must be produced – in for example power plants powered by gas, coal, nuclear power or water. Energy from water or fuel is here transformed into electrical energy with the help of turbines and generators. The introduction of electricity from ca. 1890 was a revolution in itself, especially in homes and in everyday life. Gone was the strenuous and time-consuming work of carrying fuel such as coal, coke or firewood into the house. Gone was also the faint light from candles, the sooty and smelly paraffin lamps and the danger of leaks and explosions from gas mains.
Electricity made simultaneous heating and lighting of the whole house easier. It was a prerequisite for new inventions such as the light bulb, electric heater, vacuum cleaner, radio, television set, and freezer. It also led to modernization of already existing apparatus such as stoves, irons and refrigerators. Fuel was replaced by electricity and simplified work. Daily life became easier, and people obtained better control over their time, their surroundings and their own lives.
However, the transition to electricity was a slow process. Although nine out of ten households in Oslo in the 1920s had installed electricity, it was mostly used for lighting. The great increase in other uses first came after World War II. The price was high, both for electricity and electrical appliances. There was also a general fear of the rapid technical changes of the period. Electricity cannot be stored – production and consumption must be equal. In the period between the wars, massive public propaganda was put in motion to increase the use of electric energy, especially in the kitchen.