⚡Thomas Edison electrocuted an elephant to show AC was dangerous

⚡The War of the Currents and Electric Power Technologies

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the world was on the cusp of a revolution—moving from gas lighting and direct current (DC) power systems to alternating current (AC). Thomas Edison, a pioneering inventor and businessman, was a fierce advocate of direct current electricity, which he had developed and promoted extensively through his Edison Electric Light Company.

However, Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse championed AC power, which proved to be more efficient for long-distance transmission and ultimately became the dominant technology for electrical systems worldwide. The rivalry, known as the "War of the Currents," was fierce, involving propaganda, legal battles, and public demonstrations.

One of the darker chapters in this conflict involves Edison’s efforts to discredit AC power, which culminated in a series of public demonstrations designed to show that AC was dangerous. These demonstrations included the shocking and ultimately deadly electrocution of animals, including animals in captivity, most famously the elephant named Topsy.

Thomas Edison developed and promoted direct current for electric lighting and power distribution. His system was considered safe and was implemented extensively in American cities. However, DC had limitations, especially in transmitting electricity over long distances.

Nikola Tesla’s inventions and George Westinghouse’s investment in AC systems challenged Edison’s DC dominance. AC could be stepped up to high voltages, transmitted over long distances, and transformed back to usable voltages at the destination—making it more practical for widespread use.

Edison viewed AC as a threat to his business and reputation. To combat its adoption, he launched a campaign portraying AC as extremely dangerous, often using propaganda and demonstrations.

Propaga nda and Public Demonstrations

Edison and his supporters staged electric shock demonstrations to show the dangers of AC. These demonstrations included shocking animals with AC to generate fear and skepticism among the public and policymakers.

Edison’s campaign also involved the development and promotion of the electric chair as a method of execution, primarily using AC power. He and his supporters argued that AC was so deadly that it was suitable for capital punishment, thus portraying it as inherently lethal.

Many animals, including dogs, cats, and horses, were electrocuted publicly by Edison’s team to reinforce his anti-AC propaganda. These events were often widely reported and controversial, with many animal rights advocates and the public condemning such displays of violence.

The Electrocution of Topsy the Elephant

Topsy was an Asian elephant privately owned by the Coney Island-based Luna Park amusement park. She had a long history of exhibiting aggressive behavior—she had reportedly killed several people and other animals, and was considered dangerous. In 1903, the park decided to euthanize her.

The decision to kill Topsy became intertwined with the ongoing national debate about electricity’s safety. The park’s owners wanted a demonstration to show that AC was lethal, aligning with Edison’s propaganda efforts.

On January 4, 1903, Topsy was put to death in a highly publicized event. She was restrained in a custom-built electric trap, and electricity was passed through her body—a mixture of DC and AC current, but primarily AC due to the ongoing promotional campaign.

The execution was conducted with the approval of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which sanctioned the humane destruction of the animal. The event was filmed and photographed, and the footage was later used to promote the dangers of AC power, depicting her death as a stark warning against the technology.

The Topsy electrocution is often remembered as an example of animal cruelty motivated by corporate rivalry and propaganda rather than scientific necessity. It served to foster fear and skepticism about AC power—a campaign driven largely by Edison’s efforts to defend DC.

The footage of Topsy’s execution remains a controversial historical artifact. It was used in films and documentaries to illustrate the dark side of the "Electric War," as well as the unethical practices employed by propagandists of the era.