Oct. 2--Time magazine conducted a little experiment in 1998 when it sought to quickly identify the 100 most important inventions of the previous century. That article spun off an interesting genre of writing as a variety of researchers and scientists debate through books and essays what discoveries should be recognized in such fashion.

But all of these lists include air conditioning, which was first put into commercial use in New York City in 1902, followed by the first domestic models in 1928. Without a doubt, air conditioning transformed life here in the Valley of the Sun, making it possible for far more people to thrive year-round in the desert climate. Without question, the last few decades of economic vitality never would have happened without the hum of cooling air to drive back the brutal summer heat from office buildings, manufacturing plants and homes.

And the universal use of air conditioning would be impossible without the relative abundance of electricity to power the cooling units. So it's appropriate that Salt River Project celebrated the 100th anniversary Thursday of the first delivery of electricity to the East Valley.

As Tribune writer Ed Taylor recounted Wednesday, SRP developed electricity production from Roosevelt Dam as an adjunct to its main function -- storing and bringing water to East Valley farmers. SRP expected to make a little money from electricity sales to help repay the federal loans that financed construction of the dam.

Over time, electricity became a commodity nearly as valuable as water. SRP stepped up to match supplies with the rapidly growing demand, becoming a full electric utility with the construction of fossil fuel power plants and transmission lines.

As Congress takes up cap-and-trade legislation this fall with its likely impact on SRP and other utilities, it's worth remembering just how important electricity has been to the East Valley for the past century.

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