Build For Tomorrow Even Thomas Edison Got Things Wrong
Apr 9, 2018
Explore the thrilling rivalry between Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, and George Westinghouse in the electric current wars. Delve into Edison's fear-based tactics to sway public opinion against AC power and the contrasts in societal responses to electrification. Discover how innovations evolved from fascination to practical acceptance, despite initial fears like the unsettling promotion of the electric chair. Witness the transformative journey of electricity, marked by historical resistance and eventual embrace of this groundbreaking technology.
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Electricity Faced Little Fear
- Unlike other innovations, electricity was not broadly resisted or feared before adoption.
- Edison's fearmongering against AC failed because people did not see electricity itself as threatening.
Electricity as a Familiar Upgrade
- Electricity felt more like an upgrade, providing safer, more efficient light and power.
- It replaced services people already had, lessening fear of a radical new technology.
Early Electricity as a Phenomenon
- Early electricity was seen more as a phenomenon than a technology to fear or resist.
- Medical uses included attempts to cure ailments with electroshocks, showing curiosity not fear.
