In the late 1880s and early 1890s, a fierce competition raged to determine whether alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) would become the standard for electrical power distribution across America. On one side: Thomas Edison, the most famous inventor in the country, fighting to protect his DC-based electrical system. On the other: Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, pushing the superior but unfamiliar AC technology.
Edison's DC system had been deployed in New York since 1882. It worked well — for small areas. The problem: DC power couldn't be efficiently transmitted over long distances. Every mile of copper wire meant significant power loss, requiring power stations every mile or so. This made DC impractical for widespread electrification.
AC power, by contrast, could be stepped up to high voltages for transmission and stepped back down for use, losing very little energy over long distances. This was the key insight behind Tesla's patents and Westinghouse's business plan.
Edison fought back with one of history's most notorious PR campaigns. He and his associate Harold Brown publicly electrocuted animals — including a circus elephant named Topsy in 1903 — using AC power to demonstrate its danger. Edison lobbied for AC to be used in the electric chair (executed criminals would be 'Westinghoused').
Despite the propaganda, AC won decisively. The 1893 Chicago World's Fair was lit by Westinghouse AC power, and the Niagara Falls hydroelectric project — completed in 1895 — used Tesla's polyphase AC system to transmit power 26 miles to Buffalo, New York, proving AC's long-distance viability beyond doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the War of Currents?
Tesla and Westinghouse won. AC power became the global standard for electrical transmission and distribution, while DC was relegated to specialized applications. Nearly all electrical power delivered to homes and businesses today is AC.
Did Edison really electrocute animals to discredit AC?
Yes — Edison's team publicly electrocuted dogs, calves, and horses using AC power to demonstrate its danger. The electrocution of Topsy the circus elephant in 1903 is well-documented on film. The campaign failed; AC's technical advantages proved overwhelming.
