Thomas Edison was a jerk.

[rosethecopycat]

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?

[Karen]

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!

[Catty1]

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.

An elephant too? Missed that one!

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

[RICHARD]

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.
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Rose,

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

[rosethecopycat]

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Rose,

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

No just DC.

[RICHARD]

No just DC.

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!

[JenBKR]

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

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

[RICHARD]

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

Ahh, NO, just Highway to Hell.

[kokopup]

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.

[IRescue452]

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.