Business History Edison, Tesla and the Electric Chair (The Edison Story Part 2)
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Nov 19, 2025 Edison's revolutionizing electric grid isn't just about lightbulbs; it set the stage for modern energy. The intense War of the Currents saw Edison championing direct current while battling against the advantages of alternating current led by Tesla and Westinghouse. This rivalry escalated to shocking public demonstrations of AC's dangers, including animal electrocutions. Edison even influenced the electric chair's use in executions, culminating in a notorious botched execution. Discover how this fierce competition shaped the future of electricity and industrialization.
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Grid Over Bulb
- Edison prioritized building an electrical distribution system, not just improving the light bulb.
- He understood that infrastructure (the grid) was the real product that would transform cities and industry.
Pearl Street Switch-On
- Edison flipped the switch on Pearl Street in 1882 and lit part of Lower Manhattan from a single plant.
- The plant could only serve about a mile because DC couldn't transmit far at usable voltages.
AC Enables Long-Distance Power
- AC can be transmitted at very high voltages and stepped down with transformers, enabling long-distance grids.
- That transmission advantage made AC the more scalable choice for national power networks.
