Film pioneer Thomas Alva Edison was born 157 years ago today in 1847 in Milan, Ohio. One of his most famous films, Electrocuting an Elephant, was intended to demonstrate the powers of electricity.
Edison was engaged in a publicity war with Westinghouse, whose electricity - Edison claimed - was far deadlier than his. Edison decided to demonstrate his point by electrocuting Topsy with Westinghouse's alternating current. In January 1903, Topsy was fed cyanide-laced carrots, strapped into copper-lined sandals, and killed in front of 1,500 spectators.
You can visit a memorial to Topsy at Coney Island here and learn more about her short, cruel career here.
