> It's worth remembering that the "modern", i.e. 1930s, three-phase power grid is built primarily to power motors on factory floors. Small nitpick, I don't bel

> It's worth remembering that the "modern", i.e. 1930s, three-phase power grid is built primarily to power motors on factory floors. Small nitpick, I don't believe 3 phase power was picked primarily because it was convenient for powering 3 phase motors - it was picked because it's convenient for generating and transmission. There is no need for a neutral conductor in a balanced AC transmission system for example and it can very efficiently be converted to high voltage and stepped down again. It also results in modest power pulses though the generator compared to single phase etc.