Edison's campaign against AC current
In an effort to maintain control of the power industry and keep DC alive, Edison launched a campaign to try and spread the idea that AC is much more dangerous than DC (although it is really not).
The electrocution of Topsy the elephant. A demonstration by Edison's company
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The following was included in the campaign:
- Said houses using AC power would catch on fire - Warned against walking near AC street poles - The electrocution of horses, dogs and an elepahnt using AC - The hiring of newspapers to print the stories about mishaps with AC current but not DC The invention of the electric chair by Professor Harold Brown (who work for Edison and made many of the demonstrations) was the result of the campaign. The first electric chair was built using an illegally obtained Westinghouse AC generator. The campaign was largely based on illogical arguments which Edison most likely knew. |