(that's why Edison and others initially fixed lighting voltages at 100-110V).
And others? I thought Joseph Swan standardised on 200V. The story as I know it was 110V was the highest voltage that Edison's prototype carbon filament lamp could withstand without burning out.
The voltage of 100 or 110 as far as i have read, was originally derived from the old carbon arc lamp which strikes at 50 to 55 volts.
By doubling the voltage 2 of these lamps could be run in series and avoiding a power dissipating resistor.
Also the doubling of the voltages halves the current and thinner wires could be used.
