The advent of motion pictures in the latter stages of the 19th century opened the door to exciting new possibilities of filming famous people, places and events. The introduction of sound films in the early 20th century — or “talkies,” as they were called in Hollywood — opened a doorway to a wide range of general discussions and intimate conversations to be permanently recorded for human history.

One fascinating interview happened nearly a century ago. It took place just a few years after the start of the Great Depression. It involved two of the fathers of General Electric, which used to be one of America’s biggest conglomerates. It left behind some important messages for that generation — and future generations. And yet, most people have probably never seen it before.

Let’s take a look at Edwin Rice’s June 21, 1932, interview of Elihu Thomson.

Rice and Thomson, depicted in the film as “electrical pioneers and lifelong friends,” would have a “pleasant reunion” at the former’s home on the lawn. The purpose was to discuss the latter’s career, along with some personal insights and interesting stories.

The two men had worked together for decades. Thomson, born in Manchester, England, was a brilliant electrical engineer and inventor who founded the American Electric Company with a contemporary, Edwin Houston, in New Britain, Connecticut, in 1880. He had previously taught chemistry at Philadelphia’s Central High School (1876-1880), becoming chair of the department at only 23 years old. Rice was one of his students, as fate would have it. He had planned to attend Yale University upon graduation, but changed course and became Thomson’s assistant.

The American Electric Company built dynamos and arc lamps, and developed several patents. Alas, it struggled to create a decent profit margin. Businessman Charles Coffin and a group of investors, mostly composed of shoe manufacturers based in Lynn, Massachusetts, purchased the company in 1882. They moved the organization to Lynn’s Western Avenue and renamed it the Thomson-Houston Electric Company. Coffin led the organization, with Rice in charge of manufacturing and Thomson running the Model Room, or research lab. They produced incandescent lighting and electrical generation and power plants for early electric streetcars — and became a financial success.

After making a deal with legendary financier J.P. Morgan, the Thomson-Houston Electric Company merged with the Edison General Electric Company on April 15, 1892. This is why Coffin, Rice and Thomson are regarded as the three fathers of General Electric.

Thomson, who studied at Central High School, told Rice that he had an “interval” and was “forced out of school at 11 to stay out two years.” Why? He could only start high school at 13. “So, the problem was what to do with me,” Thomson said, and “some of the advisors said, ‘keep him away from books and let him develop physically.’ I said, ‘if you do that, you might as well kill me now because I’ve got to have my books.’” They apparently “modified” the decision and he “got hold of a book” entitled The Magician’s Own Book, “a book telling of puzzles, and tricks, and all kinds of little things, chemistry experiments and electrical experiments.”

That book, which can now be read online, served as a form of inspiration for the young Englishman. “The electrical chapter was what struck me at once,” Thomson said, “and they told how to make an electrical machine out of wine bottles. And I immediately went to work and made such a machine and started it in operation. And I got my first view of electric sparks from that machine, my first knowledge of electricity from that machine.”

Rice asked Thomson to describe his experiences at the high school and as a lecturer. “I began my career of electrical development while still teaching in the high school as Professor of Chemistry,” Thomson said, “and I gave on the request of the Franklin Institute…five lectures on electricity in 1877.” Rice interjected with, “I think I heard those, too.” Thomson said that in the following year, “in conjunction with my colleague, Prof. Austin, who was associated with me at that time, and for some time after, in the development of electrical work, we made some tests at the Franklin Institute involving dynamos…and immediately after that, I designed and built a dynamo for a single arc light. And that formed the basis of the later development of the Thomas and Houston arc light system.”

Rice also asked about the “consolidation” of Thomson-Houston and Edison in 1893. “I can only say this — the developments went on at an increased pace under the encouragement of the new management,” Thomson pointed out. They would develop “new types of arc lamps,” along with incandescent lighting and “automated current transformer system, which I outlined as far back as 1879 at the Franklin Institute.” They went on to develop electric welding, “which was a separate idea and a separate company was established to carry that on. It’s now called…electric resistance welding.” Rice pointed out this was an “entirely new arc,” which Thomson recognized with some pleasure.

Thomson made this astute assessment at the end of the interview. “I think that what I have said in this record is sufficient to outline at least the possibilities and the work that has been done in the very many years. And some of the possibilities of the future may hinge upon some of those devices.” He was absolutely right about this, of course.

Imagine if Thomson hadn’t been able to read that book of magic for two years. It could have conceivably changed the course of history. There might never have been a General Electric, one of America’s most important companies. Fortunately, the spark of electricity that stimulated Thomson’s lifelong interest was allowed to shine brightly. He and his former pupil would go on to have great careers, wealth and success. And during one glorious summer day a mere 94 years ago, they outlined some of it on film.