First Electric Streetcar Trial in Germany

July 16, 1881, saw Werner von Siemens conduct the inaugural public run of an electric streetcar on a 1.5-mile line in Berlin's Lichterfelde suburb. Powered by a third rail at 180 volts, the small locomotive hauled passengers at speeds up to 25 mph, overcoming challenges of overhead wiring and battery limitations. This innovation followed Siemens' earlier dynamo developments and predated widespread adoption in cities worldwide. It demonstrated electric traction's superiority over horse-drawn cars for cleanliness and efficiency, influencing subway and tram systems globally. Rail historians value this as the birth of modern electric rail transit, directly impacting later systems like the Boston subway.