Idaho Power celebrates 100 years; exhibit on display

Idaho Power is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year. As part of its anniversary, the company has put together a traveling exhibit of its history. That exhibit is now at the Idaho Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University.

Idaho Power has been servicing from southern Idaho through eastern Oregon since 1916. In those 100 years, there’s been a lot to remember.

“They’ve put together sort of a history of their approach to bringing power through water, turning it into electricity,” said Leif Tapanila, the museum’s director. “They go decade for decade, all the changes that have taken place in bringing power to the people.”

The exhibit includes “Tools of the Trade,” showing how the necessary tools have changed in the last century.

Other pieces include “Wires of the Trade” and past uniforms Idaho Power workers used to wear.

And of course, there’s a history of light.

Tapanila said his favorite is the different light bulbs, showing the evolution of bulbs and wattage from incandescent bulbs up to modern LEDs.

Other pieces showcase Idaho Power’s contribution to agriculture and to staying afloat during the war.

There’s also old receipts and service reports on display from the 1920s. One other thing from the 1920s is an electric-powered washing machine. Worth $99, a hefty sum back in the roaring 20s, the washing machine is just one piece of Idaho Power’s exhibit.

With plenty of interactive displays and pictures from the past, the exhibit tells the story of what has become today’s modern Idaho Power Company.

The exhibit will remain open at the museum through the end of October. Museum hours are Tuesdays through Fridays noon to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays.

Idaho Power also has a documentary and online version of the exhibit on its website.