Edison’s belief in capital punishment was partially based on himself and his company. The electrical system chosen for the electric chair was Westinghouse’s AC system. Edison wanted for Kemmler to be killed by the electric chair, because of what it make people think of Westinghouse’s AC system. The hope was that if Kemmler was killed then people would not want AC in their homes because of how dangerous it was. This was the main reason that Edison was for capital punishment, only to discredit Westinghouse and make his DC system seem better to the public. Westinghouse hired his own lawyer to try and stop Edison from killing a man with electricity only for his own gain.
November 19, 2008 at 2:29 pm |
When you said “Edison’s belief in capital punishment was partially based on himself and his company”, you imply that this is only a part of the reasons for his belief in capital punishment.
I have a couple questions:
1. What are his other reasons for believing in capital punishment?
2. You further explain how his company (using the DC system) influenced his beliefs, but how did Edison, “himself”, influence his beliefs?
November 19, 2008 at 2:31 pm |
I totally agree. Edison was just trying to save his company.
November 19, 2008 at 2:40 pm |
I agree with the fact that Edison was throwing a little bit of a hissy fit to save his company, and westinghouse was in the right for trying to stop him.