Comments on: Edison electrocuted an elephant 105 years ago today http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:12:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: jfrancis http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-471297 jfrancis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-471297 'Electrocuting an Elephant' Even back then movie titles had that 'Educating Rita,' 'Boxing Helena,' 'Raising Arizona' -ing title naming convention. ‘Electrocuting an Elephant’

Even back then movie titles had that ‘Educating Rita,’ ‘Boxing Helena,’ ‘Raising Arizona’ -ing title naming convention.

]]> By: booyachubby http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100354 booyachubby Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100354 If it weren't for the ready availability of other living creatures in this world, we would not have had the chance to develop the world's best life-saving medicines, developed numerous life-saving vaccines and other wonders that have enabled mankind to progress ,live longer, and enjoy healthier lives. Not that this particular example suits that end ... however, many of the objections to this seem to bleed over into any killing of animals for any reason whatsoever. While we should try not to be so cruel, we must exploit our lordship over dumb creatures in order to advance. That's a simple fact. If it weren’t for the ready availability of other living creatures in this world, we would not have had the chance to develop the world’s best life-saving medicines, developed numerous life-saving vaccines and other wonders that have enabled mankind to progress ,live longer, and enjoy healthier lives. Not that this particular example suits that end … however, many of the objections to this seem to bleed over into any killing of animals for any reason whatsoever. While we should try not to be so cruel, we must exploit our lordship over dumb creatures in order to advance. That’s a simple fact.

]]> By: Cpt. Tim http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100105 Cpt. Tim Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100105 dick dick

]]> By: boingtwice http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100361 boingtwice Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100361 Mark Essig wrote: <i>They proposed hanging her from a scaffold with a rope and pulley, but the ASPCA claimed that would be cruel. </i> If I understand, the proposition was that electrifying an elephant would be less cruel than hanging it. Seems like they should have just shot it. Electrocuting it may have been fast, but takes on a "performance" element that seems repugnant. Mark Essig wrote:

They proposed hanging her from a scaffold with a rope and pulley, but the ASPCA claimed that would be cruel.

If I understand, the proposition was that electrifying an elephant would be less cruel than hanging it. Seems like they should have just shot it. Electrocuting it may have been fast, but takes on a “performance” element that seems repugnant.

]]> By: Lea Hernandez http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100106 Lea Hernandez Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100106 Edison was a treacherous motherfucker. Read "Cities of Light" for the account of his electric chair. Horrible man. Edison was a treacherous motherfucker.

Read “Cities of Light” for the account of his electric chair. Horrible man.

]]> By: Manooshi http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100110 Manooshi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100110 What a fucking evil bastard. Fuck him and his incandescent light bulb. What a fucking evil bastard. Fuck him and his incandescent light bulb.

]]> By: Trencher http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100111 Trencher Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100111 The “War of the Currents” was really fought between Edison and Westinghouse. Tesla's role was as inventor and more accurately electrical engineer for Westinghouse during the “war”. A good book to look up and read about all of this is, <i>AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War.</i> Not a lot of technical, but it does tell the stories of all the players involved. As for his penchant for electrocuting dogs, cats, cows, horses, elephants, and people. He (Edison) was opposed to capital punishment supposedly. In the book they talk about a guy named Harold Brown, he invented the chair. He was also the one who did the actual electrocutions of previously mentioned animals. All while trying to pass it off as scientific. Which, it really wasn't. The “War of the Currents” was really fought between Edison and Westinghouse. Tesla’s role was as inventor and more accurately electrical engineer for Westinghouse during the “war”. A good book to look up and read about all of this is, AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War. Not a lot of technical, but it does tell the stories of all the players involved.

As for his penchant for electrocuting dogs, cats, cows, horses, elephants, and people. He (Edison) was opposed to capital punishment supposedly. In the book they talk about a guy named Harold Brown, he invented the chair. He was also the one who did the actual electrocutions of previously mentioned animals. All while trying to pass it off as scientific. Which, it really wasn’t.

]]> By: Beanolini http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100119 Beanolini Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100119 #3: Here in NE England, we prefer to credit the Mackem <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Swan">Joseph Swan</a> with the invention of the incandescent light bulb (he certainly held a patent for it before Edison). #3: Here in NE England, we prefer to credit the Mackem Joseph Swan with the invention of the incandescent light bulb (he certainly held a patent for it before Edison).

]]> By: ashabot http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-101144 ashabot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-101144 Barbarian mothervucker. Barbarian mothervucker.

]]> By: plomlompom http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100639 plomlompom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100639 On the other option of /hanging/ an elephant, I advise reading the wikipedia article on "Mighty Mary", featuring a bizarre (and probably pre-photoshopped) photography of her hanging: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Mary On the other option of /hanging/ an elephant, I advise reading the wikipedia article on “Mighty Mary”, featuring a bizarre (and probably pre-photoshopped) photography of her hanging:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Mary

]]> By: JIMWICh http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100129 JIMWICh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100129 This wretched scene from history deserves a much happier form of electrocution as a chaser. And I've got just the perfect thing: The delightful <a href="http://www.neighborhoodvalues.com/nv/kitchen/misc/35kc.htm">Presto Hotdogger</a>! What other kitchen appliance has ever allowed up to six hotdogs to be condemned and hurled into their afterlife in just 60 seconds? And later models were even better, since they carried, arguably, <a href="http://web.ivenue.com/martywalsh//item173692.ctlg">the greatest logo ever</a>. This wretched scene from history deserves a much happier form of electrocution as a chaser. And I’ve got just the perfect thing:

The delightful Presto Hotdogger!

What other kitchen appliance has ever allowed up to six hotdogs to be condemned and hurled into their afterlife in just 60 seconds?

And later models were even better, since they carried, arguably, the greatest logo ever.

]]> By: starwed http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100130 starwed Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100130 According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocuting_an_Elephant">wikipedia</a>, Topsy's keepers had <i>already</i> decided to "execute" her... so it wasn't like the elephant was killed just to prove Edison's point. According to wikipedia, Topsy’s keepers had already decided to “execute” her… so it wasn’t like the elephant was killed just to prove Edison’s point.

]]> By: Readwrite http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100648 Readwrite Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100648 A substantial portion, if not all, of the Edison Co. film "Executing an Elephant" can be seen in the Errol Morris documentary "Mr. Death," which follow the career of Fred A. Leuchter Jr., an electric-chair engineer and Holocaust denier: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192335/ A substantial portion, if not all, of the Edison Co. film “Executing an Elephant” can be seen in the Errol Morris documentary “Mr. Death,” which follow the career of Fred A. Leuchter Jr., an electric-chair engineer and Holocaust denier:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192335/

]]> By: alisong76 http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100142 alisong76 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100142 Starwed, you're right - Topsy had been ruled a "danger", having killed one (or was it two?) of her handlers and had already had her death sentence passed - Edison petitioned for the right to do it by electrocution. However, another fact of the matter was that right before she killed one of the handlers, the man had fed her a lit cigarette, so she was obviously being baited. It was a rotten situation all around. Starwed, you’re right – Topsy had been ruled a “danger”, having killed one (or was it two?) of her handlers and had already had her death sentence passed – Edison petitioned for the right to do it by electrocution.

However, another fact of the matter was that right before she killed one of the handlers, the man had fed her a lit cigarette, so she was obviously being baited. It was a rotten situation all around.

]]> By: songs http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100154 songs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100154 Edison was a hack piece of shit, whose true legacy is cruelty, thievery, plagiarism, & buttfuckery (not the fun type). Edison was a hack piece of shit, whose true legacy is cruelty, thievery, plagiarism, & buttfuckery (not the fun type).

]]> By: sonny p fontaine http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100156 sonny p fontaine Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100156 DC current held on until not too long ago. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/off-goes-the-power-current-started-by-thomas-edison/ DC current held on until not too long ago.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/off-goes-the-power-current-started-by-thomas-edison/

]]> By: shardcore http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100159 shardcore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100159 I painted Edison with Topsy last year, as part of my ongoing series of scientists and philosophers: http://www.shardcore.org/shardpress/index.php/2007/02/01/edison-and-topsy-2006/ I painted Edison with Topsy last year, as part of my ongoing series of scientists and philosophers:

http://www.shardcore.org/shardpress/index.php/2007/02/01/edison-and-topsy-2006/

]]> By: mrgtx http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100162 mrgtx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100162 Man's treatment of animals is the number one argument for our extermination in my mind. Man’s treatment of animals is the number one argument for our extermination in my mind.

]]> By: Landowner http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100166 Landowner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100166 <b>mrgtx</b> Do me a favor an stop listening to your mind. mrgtx

Do me a favor an stop listening to your mind.

]]> By: verygneiss http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100172 verygneiss Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100172 I like your painting Shardcore, and the attached text also answered my question as to why the elephant was being "executed" (does anyone else find this use of "execution" ridiculous?): it had attacked a keeper. Still seems pretty macabre, the idea of a public execution. I like your painting Shardcore, and the attached text also answered my question as to why the elephant was being “executed” (does anyone else find this use of “execution” ridiculous?): it had attacked a keeper. Still seems pretty macabre, the idea of a public execution.

]]> By: lalouque http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100176 lalouque Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100176 Bad enough you post the story, you have to include photo???? Where's my unicorn!?! Bad enough you post the story, you have to include photo???? Where’s my unicorn!?!

]]> By: Bentcorner http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100197 Bentcorner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100197 I'm an electronics tech and the worst I've ever been zapped was not with AC, but 28 volts DC. It knocked me back like I was physically hit with a heavy object. I've even been kissed by voltages up to 460v AC. Nothing hurts as much as high current DC. At least with AC, it's easier to break away because of the way the voltage is alternating. With DC, it's constant. I’m an electronics tech and the worst I’ve ever been zapped was not with AC, but 28 volts DC. It knocked me back like I was physically hit with a heavy object. I’ve even been kissed by voltages up to 460v AC. Nothing hurts as much as high current DC.

At least with AC, it’s easier to break away because of the way the voltage is alternating. With DC, it’s constant.

]]> By: entropymd http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100207 entropymd Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100207 @BENTCORNER - are you sure about that? DC is way safer then AC. Remember, voltage does not kill, its the current that kills. And at 60 hertz, I cannot imagine "breaking away" is very easy. In general though, I do not think its fair to call Edison "evil". They did not really look at animals the same way then and we do today. The elephant was condemned to die anyways. @BENTCORNER – are you sure about that? DC is way safer then AC. Remember, voltage does not kill, its the current that kills.

And at 60 hertz, I cannot imagine “breaking away” is very easy.

In general though, I do not think its fair to call Edison “evil”. They did not really look at animals the same way then and we do today. The elephant was condemned to die anyways.

]]> By: Middletown http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100214 Middletown Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100214 MRGTX keep on listening to your mind. Dont let it close because youre a landowner. MRGTX keep on listening to your mind.
Dont let it close because youre a landowner.

]]> By: Guysmiley http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100218 Guysmiley Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100218 Yeah, it turns out Edison was kind of a dick. Yeah, it turns out Edison was kind of a dick.

]]> By: BdgBill http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100219 BdgBill Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100219 I have read a couple of fat biographies on Edison. He was pretty much a bastard to his family, his employees and his competitors (and apparantly to animals). The phonograph was his only truly original invention. When Edison developed the light bulb there were already several types of electric lights in use. Later in his life he really bought into the whole "you have brought light to mankind" demigod bull that he was being fed. Many of the people we consider "Great Inventors" had some serious personality flaws. Ford was a huge anti-semite and early fan of Hitler, Alexander Grahem Bell almost certainly stole the design for telephone outright and don't even get me started on the Wright Bros. I have read a couple of fat biographies on Edison. He was pretty much a bastard to his family, his employees and his competitors (and apparantly to animals).

The phonograph was his only truly original invention. When Edison developed the light bulb there were already several types of electric lights in use.

Later in his life he really bought into the whole “you have brought light to mankind” demigod bull that he was being fed.

Many of the people we consider “Great Inventors” had some serious personality flaws. Ford was a huge anti-semite and early fan of Hitler, Alexander Grahem Bell almost certainly stole the design for telephone outright and don’t even get me started on the Wright Bros.

]]> By: the specialist http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100225 the specialist Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100225 It's all about the wattage folks (volts x amps)- not AC vs DC. High voltage with low amperage will not kill you, nor will low voltage with high amperage. But ramp up wattage and either DC or AC will kill. AC will defibrilate your heart - DC will burn. It’s all about the wattage folks (volts x amps)- not AC vs DC. High voltage with low amperage will not kill you, nor will low voltage with high amperage.

But ramp up wattage and either DC or AC will kill. AC will defibrilate your heart – DC will burn.

]]> By: kirbyk http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100235 kirbyk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100235 Since it's a film, there's an IMDb page for this: http://imdb.com/title/tt0231523/ If you like this, you might like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom! Since it’s a film, there’s an IMDb page for this:

http://imdb.com/title/tt0231523/

If you like this, you might like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!

]]> By: Todd Sieling http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100238 Todd Sieling Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100238 I knew that Edison was impassioned about DC and bitter about Tesla and AC, but I didn't know this story. It's disgusting, but probably seemed like good showmanship at the time. Edison thought that his world view 'had it all figured out,' and condemning him without recognizing that he came from a very different time makes the same mistake, only without frying an elephant. I knew that Edison was impassioned about DC and bitter about Tesla and AC, but I didn’t know this story. It’s disgusting, but probably seemed like good showmanship at the time.

Edison thought that his world view ‘had it all figured out,’ and condemning him without recognizing that he came from a very different time makes the same mistake, only without frying an elephant.

]]> By: dave hutchinson http://boingboing.net/2008/01/03/edison-electrocuted.html#comment-100498 dave hutchinson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-100498 I never heard this story before. Thanks for posting it, even though it sucks in more ways than I can think of right now. I never heard this story before. Thanks for posting it, even though it sucks in more ways than I can think of right now.

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