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Electric light caused quite a stir on the farm and tasks became safer and easier. The yard light was revolutionary. Farmers could now see their property, watch the livestock and feel comforted to know that everything was ok. Barns could be lighted providing access and visibility to livestock; especially important during calving or if an animal was ill. Electric light also added two to four hours a day of potential working time, providing more flexibility in the planning of daily events. Domestic space within the house changed; instead of all reading at the kitchen table, privacy could be had in other rooms.

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A quarter horse power, split phase motor.
1951

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One farmer pumping water by hand, another farmer demonstrates using an electric motor to pump water.
1945

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For farmers in Manitoba, there was a shift from having a hired hand to owning and operating a Ľ hp motor, with the emergence of electricity. The Ľ hp motor was a money saving and time efficient machine. The move away from having a hired hand on the farm was due in part to the shortage of workers and the desire of most of the potential farm workers to live in urban centres. This motor provided a more efficient means of production on the farm. The National Film Board movie, 'Farm Electrification', that was used as a promotion tool from 1946 onwards by the Manitoba Power Commission, goes into great depth on the uses of the Ľ hp motor. The motor was also the most desired appliance in the 1942 Farm Electrification survey for it would replace the tiresome repetition of turning grist mills and feed grinders by hand. The Ľ hp motor was powerful enough to run a small grain auger, pump water for livestock, and be hooked up to a grinder for the sharpening of tools, etc... The farmer had a variety of electric motors to choose from up to 3 hp. When an Alberta farmer was asked, why he picked the lowest horsepower motor, the reply was, "It was relatively cheap, it has a comprehendible amount of power and it can be used for many things." Thus, the Ľ hp motor became a prominent feature of the farms of Manitoba.

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The list goes on of electrical appliances and equipment and how they changed the lives of farmers and rural people. Following will just be images, feel free to imagine the differences in these old and modern devices and the change that they could have made on your lifestyle.