Thomas Edison was a jerk.

[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.

[Alysser]

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.

[kokopup]

By Richard

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!

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.