In the late 19th century, the world stands on the brink of a technological revolution in the form of electrical power, and two great inventors emerge as leaders in the quest to electrify America. Thomas Edison, a celebrated inventor with a talent for self-promotion, supports Direct Current (DC) as the standard for electricity distribution. His relentless ambition and charismatic showmanship make him a household name, but his technology has limitations—it cannot be transmitted over long distances without significant power loss.

Edison's position atop the field is challenged by George Westinghouse, a brilliant industrialist and engineer who believes Alternating Current (AC) is the superior technology for the transmission of electricity across great distances. As the competition intensifies, Westinghouse seeks the counsel of Nikola Tesla, an eccentric genius with revolutionary ideas that could change the future of electric power. The rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse becomes a fierce battle of wills and intellect, as they race to power the nation and secure their place in history. Personal vendettas, legal battles, and cutthroat business tactics underscore the struggle to illuminate America and lay claim to the electric age.