Thomas Edison was a jerk.

I came across this item a week ago. Tom Edison, the guy that brought you elek-tri-city went about trying to get the penal system to buy into the idea that electrocuting prisoners was a good thing.

He called it "Westinghousing" and he made a film where he electrocuted an elephant to sell his idea. I didn't bother with the clip, it can be found on line if you want, I hate the idea of this jerk killing an elephant to sell the thought.

I really admired all the inventors and dreamers who made or invented things to make our lives easier......

Imagine what he would say if he knew that some 100 years later his idea would be used to kill prisoners and shock 9 year old political sign vandals!:rolleyes:

HE called it what he did as a marketing tool to scare people away from Westinghouse and Tesla with their alternating current utility.

Edison produced and promoted DC equipment.

Wasnt the point of the video to show that Westinghouse's DC voltage was more dangerous then Melno Park's AC voltage? I thought the electric chair was DC voltage, but Ive been wrong before.

I agree killing an elephant to make a point is wrong.

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Originally Posted by Lady's Human

HE called it what he did as a marketing tool to scare people away from Westinghouse and Tesla with their alternating current utility.

Edison produced and promoted DC equipment.

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It seems I was wrong on this. Tesla did do some cool a$$ experiments.

Every year, I perform(in the band) at an 'event' called Edisonia near Ft. Myers FL. (summer home of Edison and his guests like H. Ford)

It is like a cross between Edison worship and a debutant ball. They 'crown' the king and queen of Edisonia, 20 year old youths (usually off spring of doctors or such)
Anyway, the pageantry is over the top. The announcer introduces the 'court' in terms like: We present Katherine, daughter of Millicent and Reginald of the House of McKinnon. (then the herald trumpets play)
(and no- we cannot laugh at this, it's VERY serious)

At times the ceremonies become prayerlike,they lower the lights thanking Edison for 'illuminating the world' and such.

Yeah o.k. but I'm kind of a fan of Tesla.
I saw on a TV show that Tesla worked for Edison at one point. And Edison challenged Tesla to create something (some technique) and he would get $50K for it. Well, Tesla accomplished it and Edison DID NOT give him the $.

Nice huh?

Tesla died a poor recluse. Edison has a pageant.
And which power system do we use AC or DC?
:rolleyes:

No one ever said Edison was a nice guy. I read a fascinating book called "Edison and the Electric Chair" by Mark Essig ( http://karenwatts.com/blog/2008/03/06/ for a full review) and you'd be surprised how complicated the tangle of the early beginnings of electric current for the public was!

On his tours to towns to demonstrate electricity, Edison would ask neighbourhood boys to round up a few cats for the demonstration.

That's all I need to say. :mad:

An elephant too? Missed that one!

The guy had brains, all right...too bad he didn't have a heart. :mad:

Wow, thanks for all the info, I was so disgusted by the idea of seeing the film clip I didn't read and comprehend the whole article.

I did see a History Channel program about the two, but like most people I hate having any electrical problems and take for granted the switch on the wall.:eek:
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Rose,

Since you know music, was TE really the first lead singer of AC/DC?:confused::rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

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Rose,

Since you know music, was TE really the first lead singer of AC/DC?:confused::rolleyes:

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No just DC.

Thanks to you guys I just spent half an hour reading about the history of electricity, something I never really gave much thought to beyond the same ol' "Thomas Edison invented electricity" spiel you get in school. Turned on a few more lightbulbs in the unused brain cell department.

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Originally Posted by rosethecopycat

No just DC.

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Hmmm, Is that why you are hooked on "electro"lytes?
Not just because plants need them?;)


IR,
If anything, PT isn't just a pet site.
IT's clearing house for some really good information-even when the thread starter can't find his rear end with both hands!;) Next time I'll try to read and understand rather than get caught up in my repulsion for things misread!:D

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

Since you know music, was TE really the first lead singer of AC/DC?:confused::rolleyes:

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You mean you've never heard his rendition of Back in Black? :confused::p

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Originally Posted by JenBKR

You mean you've never heard his rendition of Back in Black? :confused::p

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Ahh, NO, just Highway to Hell.;):eek:

Edison the Founder of General Electric co, (I retired from GE) was a real opportunist, and took advantage of others endeavors. Tesla was the true genius behind the AC current we use today to power everything. Tesla also was the inventor of the AC motor, Edison was convinced that the future was in Direct Current which is like you would get out of a battery or DC generator. Tesla's downfall was being convinced that power could be transmitted through the air, The error in his thinking was not knowing how much power would be required to transmit over distance. After many failed attempts he gave up on his efforts after his experiment burned on a mountain top in Colorado springs. Edison ended up stealing all of Tesla's work and a large part of GE's business today depends on the work of Tesla. Edison was able to use his DC power for driving the industrial world, Tesla's power invention actually was the radio that Marconi later got credit for. Tesla got left out of history even though he was the genius behind GE and Westinghouse.

Tons of people get left out of history. Ever heard of Bayard Rustin? He should get most of the credit given to Martin Luther King Jr and Rosa Parks. Drives me nuts when I go to work every day at an elementary school and all I see is MLK this and Rosa Parks that.

And then there's Columbus.

BTW, Edison shouldn't ever get the credit for "inventing" electricity. Its a natural resource. For thousands of years people have been using electricity. For sacrifices during a lightning storm there's none better. And what about God judging you by means of being put out in a storm. If electricity fries you, you've been judged. These former electricity users just didn't know how to harness electricity for future use at their own will.

I am not endorsing animal abuse or killing animals in anyway, but you do realize that back then animals were not seen as children to most people as they are now? There were no animal cruelty laws, and I'm sure many animals weren't treated very well. I'm just pointing that out.

By Richard

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I came across this item a week ago. Tom Edison, the guy that brought you elek-tri-city went about trying to get the penal system to buy into the idea that electrocuting prisoners was a good thing.

He called it "Westinghousing" and he made a film where he electrocuted an elephant to sell his idea. I didn't bother with the clip, it can be found on line if you want, I hate the idea of this jerk killing an elephant to sell the thought.

I really admired all the inventors and dreamers who made or invented things to make our lives easier......

Imagine what he would say if he knew that some 100 years later his idea would be used to kill prisoners and shock 9 year old political sign vandals!

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While I am no fan of Edison as should be evident in a previous post. Edison did not kill the Elephant for the reasons you mentioned. The Penal system had been electrocuting prisoners for years before this occurred. He was trying to demonstrate that AC current was dangerous because this was what Westinghouse was promoting thanks to Tesla. Actually DC is much more dangerous than AC ever thought about being. This was Edison trying grandstand and discredit the Westinghouse approach.

The poor Elephant was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was slated to be put down because it had become uncontrollable and had injured several people. This was just another example of the opportunistic Edison.