Both were viable, one was much more easily developed. We can talk viability all day long, sadly it's history and there isn't much to discuss.
Solar panels are also viable and cheap right now, yet we don't use them much. Something existing and working doesn't mean it scales as easily as the alternatives.
If electricity storage is still a problem in 2022 you can imagine that it would be extremely hard in 1922. You can store gas in a bucket if needs be