First electric streetcar line in Germany begins service

July 13, 1881, saw the inauguration of the Lichterfelde tramway near Berlin, the first commercial electric streetcar system powered by overhead lines. Invented by Werner von Siemens, the 2.5 km line used a small electric locomotive drawing power from a slotted conduit, carrying passengers at speeds up to 20 km/h. This innovation overcame the limitations of horse-drawn trams and steam, paving the way for urban electrification worldwide. Key challenges included reliable current collection and insulation, solved through Siemens' engineering. The event influenced subway and light rail development, with replicas often featured in model rail layouts depicting early electric traction.