What is the history of GE?

The history of GE, or General Electric, begins in 1892 when financier J.P. Morgan orchestrated the merger of Edison General Electric Company, founded by Thomas Edison in 1890, and Thomson-Houston Electric Company, creating General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. Initially focused on electric lighting, motors, and power generation equipment, GE quickly became a leader in electrification of America. Under early leaders like Charles Coffin, GE established the first industrial research laboratory in the US in 1900 in Schenectady, leading to innovations such as the tungsten filament light bulb by William Coolidge, the X-ray tube, and advances in radio. Throughout the 20th century, GE expanded into appliances, jet engines during World War II, nuclear power, locomotives, plastics, and broadcasting through ownership of NBC from 1986 to 2013. Under CEOs like Jack Welch from 1981 to 2001, GE became one of the world's most valuable companies, emphasizing financial services through GE Capital. After the 2008 financial crisis, GE began downsizing. Under later CEOs, GE sold NBCUniversal, GE Capital assets, and Appliances division, which was sold to Haier in 2016 but keeps the GE name. In 2024, GE completed a split into three companies: GE Aerospace, GE Vernova for energy, and GE HealthCare, ending the era of the conglomerate.