Comments | sfa_history: Fact of the Day #1

palmaceae in sfa_history

Fact of the Day #1

Jan 08, 2011 22:42

I'm going to try to post a fun/interesting fact every couple of days. Maybe these facts will prompt you to read more about the topic or stimulate the creative juices?

Did you know...In an attempt to further discredit the AC (alternating current) electric power system (as developed by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse), Edison had his employees ( Read more... )

fact of the day, historical figure: thomas edison

Comments 2

aceofhadeon January 9 2011, 06:20:05 UTC

I like how Jonathon Young put it: "Edison realised the tide was beginning to turn towards this new system and he had this monopoly on direct current and was hoping to be the one and only dude, so he started electrocuting animals to show how dangerous alternating current was. It was a low point for Edison, I think." Yeah, I'd say it was a low point!

Also liked his play version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Xn8-xl3r0&feature=player_embedded

st_aurafina January 9 2011, 08:40:30 UTC

'Westinghoused' is not nearly as catchy as 'electrocuted.' Edison was barking up the wrong tree there.

I can see Tesla rocking out to AC/DC as a kind of vengeance for this whole spat.