April 15, 1892 General Electric is born. The founding members are 3: Charles Coffin, who will become its first president; JP Morgan, the legendary banker; and Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors of all time. His inventions were the real added value of the newborn company.
Edison had divided his multiple activities into different companies in which his investors were also among the shareholders. In 1889, consolidating various companies, the Edison General Electric Company was born, from which the Edison Illuminating Company was left out. Finally, in 1892, from the merger between Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston Electric (led by Charles Coffin), General Electric was born which has become a multinational, present all over the world, in many sectors.
Very long the list of innovations and patents that have changed our life: from the light bulb to the electric locomotive, from the X-ray machine to the electric washing machine, from the television to the jets.
Last November the announcement: “General Electric closes an era, leaving behind the colossus founded by Thomas Edison 129 years ago. The giant splits into 3 different companies, effectively putting an end to its status as the iconic conglomerate of American industry. To revive the company, whose decline began with the 2008 financial crisis, and respond to investor pressure on the company’s disappointing performance, CEO Larry Culp launches a real revolution. GE will split into 3 different listed companies (one for healthcare, one for energy and one for aviation) starting in 2023. The first to split will be GE Healthcare nel 2023, with General Electric retaining a 19.9% stake in the division. GE Renewable Energy, GE Power e GE Digital will merge into an energy company which will separate in 2024. Once these transactions are completed, the original GE will be focused solely on aviation. “