Why did the direct current (DC) system championed by Thomas Edison struggle with large-scale power distribution?

It suffered from significant voltage drop over distance, requiring frequent power stations.

Direct current systems faced a critical limitation due to the rapid drop in voltage as electricity traveled through wires over distance. This physical constraint meant that power generating stations needed to be located in close proximity to the users, usually every mile or two, which made urban electrification economically and logistically difficult. This inherent flaw made DC unsuitable for large-scale, efficient distribution compared to systems that could utilize transformers to change voltage levels.