URAPEDA Bourgogne - Franche-Comt 16 Rue Jean Renoir 21000 DIJON Tl : 03.80.30.66.21 Mail : contact@urapeda-bfcc.org The way people treat animals like theyre trash is a big issue these days. Payback is a bitch, as they say. Policeman Conlin of the Coney Island police force arrested him, whereupon Whitey said he would turn the elephant loose upon the crowd. More than likely the film company, which at the time was connected to the inventor in name only, simply saw the electrocution as an interesting human interest story. Ironically, Topsy was electrocuted on the very spot that was once occupied by the iconic Elephantine Colossus, otherwise known as the Elephant Hotel. By situating early cinema spectatorship Why did Thomas Edison electrocute an elephant? | HowStuffWorks Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. Teslas AC would eventually win out in the years to come, but no matter. Edison, realizing that AC generators were spreading across the country faster than his DC alternative, knew he had to resort to desperate measures: In short, launching a full-out propaganda campaign to discredit his rivals. The execution of Topsy, a female elephant, in a publicity stunt advertising the opening of Luna Park on Coney Island. Edison directed his technicians, primarily Arthur Kennelly and Harold P. Brown, to preside over several AC-driven executions of animals, primarily stray cats and dogs but also unwanted cattle and horses. Topsy the Elephant was executed by electrocution in 1903. However any direct involvement by Edison himself has since been put into question. Topsy was about 35 years old at the time of her death, which is about half the expected life span for an elephant with a decent life in the wild. Jan. 4, 1903: Edison Fries an Elephant to Prove His Point The timestamp is only as accurate as the clock in the camera, and it may be completely wrong. I agree! 1899 poster for the combined Forepaugh & Sells Brothers Circus. A plan to hang the out-of-control Topsy was hatched by the parks publicity-mad owners, Thompson & Dundy, who decided to charge admission to the event. One time the ASPCA prosecuted Whitey for wounding Topsys eye, but unfortunately he was acquitted of animal cruelty because the abuse was deemed acceptable at that time. Like many circus animals at the time, Topsy was subject to harsh treatment and torture during her training and performances. When you look at these photos, its amazing more people werent injured. ELECTROCUTING AN ELEPHANT Topsy, the famous "Baby" elephant, was electrocuted at Coney Island on January 4, 1903. Topsy was originally owned by Forepaugh Circus where she killed a drunken spectator who burned the tip of her trunk with a cigar. After two hours, they finally got her in place, but then she wouldnt stay still on the metal plates. The execution was witnessed by 1,500 or more curious persons, who went down to the island to see the end of the huge beast, to whom they had fed peanuts and cakes in summers that are gone. A photograph of Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) at age 40. This film is complete and utter exploitation, made to cash in on the sensational aspects of the film and the subject. She was sold to Sea Lion Park in 1902 which was then sold to new owners who turned it into Luna Park. [] 1903: The Elephant That Was Electrocuted by Thomas Edison at Coney Islands LunaPark [], [] while back, I wrote about Topsy, the elephant that was executed by electrocution in 1903 at the brand-new Luna Park in Coney Island. Electrocuting an ElephantPhotographed January 3, 1903.Thomas A. Edison, Inc.Edison opposed capital punishment, but his desire to disparage the system of Alternating Current (AC) led to the invention of the electric chair. Barge Office at NYC's Battery Park, 1910: Captain Kitty: John Moisant and Paris-London, His Co-Pilot Cat, 1888: Plinlimmon Emmet, the English St. Bernard that Stole the Show in New York, 1922: Waterboy, Danny Beg, and the Last Fire Horses of the New York Fire Department, 1904: Alice, the Elephant That Escaped and Swam to Staten Island, 1879: The Peter Goelet Mansion and the Last Cow to Graze on Broadway. It's unclear exactly what happened between Blount and Topsy. Original file (1,241 1,024 pixels, file size: 1.66 MB, MIME type: image/png). While there, Topsy was involved in several incidents and again deemed unmanageable. We do not know the gods of religions. The execution of Topsy, a female elephant, in a publicity stunt advertising the opening of Luna Park on Coney Island. On a frigid January day, Topsy was fed carrots laced with potassium cyanide, a rope was placed around her neck, and her feet were fitted with electrodes. The man met his end when Topsy wrapped her trunk around him, tossed him into the air, and then smashed and trampled him on the ground. Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla and the Sad Case of 'Topsy' the Circus Elephant The big beast died without a trumpet or a groan.Topsy (ca. Topsy was originally owned by Forepaugh Circus where she killed a drunken spectator who burned the tip of her trunk with a cigar. On March 5, 2015, the Feld family, which owns Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, announced that it would phase out its 13 performing Asiatic elephants by the beginning of 2018. The execution of Topsy, a female elephant, in a publicity stunt advertising the opening of Luna Park on Coney Island. Electrocuting an Elephant - Wikipedia After copper plates or electrodes were fastened to her feet, 6,600 volts of electricity were turned on. There was a flash of fire and the odor of burning flesh. In one gut-wrenching demonstration, done in full view of reporters, Edison poured water on a sheet of tin, attached it to an AC power source, then invited a dog to lap up the liquid. On December 13, 1902, Luna Park press agent Charles Murray released a statement to the newspapers that Topsy would be euthanized within a few days by electrocution. These electrodes were connected by copper wire with the Edison electric light plant and a current of 6,600 volts was sent through her body. Its manager often exaggerated the view, telling visitors they would be able see places like Yellowstone Park, Niagara Falls, and Paris from the elephants back. However, when the structure caught fire on September 27, 1896, it had not been used for several years. Topsy the Elephant Was a Victim of Her Captors, Not Thomas Edison On January 4, 1903, a crowd of about 1,500 spectators and 100 photographers gathered in the Luna Park construction zone to witness the hours-long spectacle. She eventually had to be wired up where she stood. From Strasbourg in the East to Nogent-sur-Seine in the West, the Rgion Grand Est covers 57,441 km. Join 1000s of subscribers and receive the best Vintage News in your mailbox for FREE, Dangerous Brew: Coffee Drinkers Lost their Head under this Sultans Rule, Stone Age Kitchen Found at the Bottom of a Lake, complete with 9,000-yr-old Stove, Police arrest a 72-year-old suburban grandfather suspected of being the Golden State Killer, Im not dead yet: some Buddhist monks followed self-mummification, Project Azorian: Howard Hughes secret mission, 1960s U.S. satellite that started transmitting again in 2013, The Walk of Shame in Game of Thrones historical inspiration, The only unsolved skyjacking case in U.S. history might have a break, Kurt Gdel became too paranoid to eat and died of starvation, Little Ease: One of the most feared torture devices in the Tower of London, The humble English girl who became Cora Pearl, Walt Disney softened the original Snow White story. The scene opens with keeper leading Topsy to the place of execution. He often used a pitchfork on her, and was arrested at least one time after police observed excessive prodding. Edison agreed to electrocute Topsy, and as an added bonus, he said he would document the event using a movie camera, another one of his inventions. Whitey was immediately fired, but with no one left to handle Topsy, Fred and Elmer had to get rid of her. The backup plan was to feed her cyanide-laced carrots and strangle her with large ropes hung from the tower and tied to a steam powered winch. For the rest of her short pathetic life, she was put to use hauling building and construction materials. Innovation Science Questions Why did Thomas Edison electrocute an elephant? He also tried to popularize the term for being electrocuted as being ''Westinghoused''.- excerpt from wikipedia\"[Tesla's] ideas are splendid, but they are utterly impractical.\" - Thomas EdisonNikola Tesla, who was a former employee of Edison's and now worked for George Westinghouse, was the man responsible for Alternating Current. After they decided t Read all. She was sold to Sea Lion Park in Read allThe execution of Topsy, a female elephant, in a publicity stunt advertising the opening of Luna Park on Coney Island. In this post, Im going to []. The switch was hit and 6,000 volts were sent coursing through her massive body. The owners agreed to switch to a more sure method of execution: a mix of poison, strangulation, and electrocution. It has 10 departments : Ardennes, Aube, Collectivit europenne d'Alsace (Haut-Rhin et Bas Rhin), Haute-Marne, Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle and Vosges. Historical interest aside, this is something to watch only if one finds themselves in the grip of morbid fascination. More than likely, though, her behavior was the result of cruel treatment at the hands of her handler, who used a pitchfork to keep the animal in line. At least this elephant was not a living, breathing creature when it fried. Apparently he just couldnt resist the opportunity to demonstrate the dangers of AC one more time. With no other options left, the men decided to euthanize Topsy. Next, they discussed charging a 25-cent admission to publicly electrocute the elephant. This makes me sick! An illustration of Topsy, a female Asian elephant killed at a Coney Island, New York park by electrocution on January 4, 1903. This page is not available in other languages. The final nail in Topsys coffin came at noon on a December day when an intoxicated Whitey tried to ride the elephant down Surf Avenue. In his attempt to discourage the use of AC, Edison had been staging public demonstrations of its danger by electrocuting stray and unwanted animals, including cats, dogs, horses, and cows. Finally, Fred Thompson showed up, paid the bail, and ordered Ault to return Topsy to Luna Park. Acting on these directives, they were to demonstrate to the press that alternating current was more dangerous than Edison's system of direct current. My low rating for it comes for two main reasons. On May 28, 1902, she killed a circus worker named J. 1896: The Alligator That Fought a Newfoundland on Coney Island | The Hatching Cat, 1899: King and Queen, the Diving Quadrupeds of Coney Island, Brooklyn | The Hatching Cat. Topsy was originally owned by Forepaugh Circus where she killed a drunken spectator who burned the tip of her trunk with a cigar. In the end his was the superior technology.The Commercial Advertiser, Monday, January 5, 1903BAD ELEPHANT KILLED.TOPSY MEETS QUICK AND PAINLESS DEATH AT CONEY ISLAND''Topsy, the ill-tempered Coney Island elephant, was put to death in Luna Park, Coney Island, yesterday afternoon. And then in May 1902 she killed a spectator in Brooklyn who went too far. 1903: Topsy, the Elephant Electrocuted by Thomas Edison at Coney Island Captured on film by Thomas Edison, the event was one of a string of animal electrocutions Edison staged to. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. (1,241 1,024 pixels, file size: 1.66 MB, MIME type: Last edited on 25 September 2022, at 19:33, File:Topsy elephant electricution Luna Park January 1903.png, Luna Park (parque de atracciones de 1903), https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Topsy_elephant_electrocution_Luna_Park,_Coney_Island_January_1903.png&oldid=691774654, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Louis Republic article, January 11, 1903, page 24 - "TOPSY, THE ROGUE ELEPHANT, WAS ELECTROCUTED, POISONED AND HANGED. Who does this to animals? Topsy was a female elephant born in Southeast Asia and brought to the U.S. soon thereafter (illegally, it turns out) to join a group of performing pachyderms at the Forepaugh Circus. These elephants will join the more than 40 pachyderms already resident at the Feld family-owned Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida. They say elephants are smart she definitely knew what was happening to her. To prove his point, Edison began conducting a series of grisly experiments designed to demonstrate just how dangerous this new form of electricity, AC currents, could be, by using it to electrocute animals dogs (many provided by the SPCA), calves, even a horse at his West Orange, NJ, laboratory. William Ault, better known as Whitey, was Topsys keeper and slave driver for over a decade. It would also, oddly enough, spawn a legend involving Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. One of her biggest jobs was moving the massive Trip the Moon structure from George Tilyous Steeplechase Park to Luna Park. When his park went bankrupt a year later, Paul Boyton turned the elephant over to the new owners, Frederic Thompson and Elmer Skip Dundy, who were constructing Luna Park on the site. During the 25 years she was there, Topsy gained a reputation as being dangerous. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); True and Unusual Animal Tales of Old New York, 2010 The Hatching Cat of Gotham. He angrily banged on the door and the sign said, Stay Back. and it was Rudolph. JANUARY 4, 1903 THE ELECTROCUTION OF TOPSY THE ELEPHANT - YouTube No; nature made usnature did it allnot the gods of the religions.\" - Thomas Edison (New York Times interview October 2, 1910)Recommended reading:Gilded City / Scandal and Sensation in Turn-of-the-Century New York - M.H. The Electrocution of Topsy the Elephant - Historic Mysteries Their short, silent, black-and-white documentary, entitled Electrocuting an Elephant, can be seen on YouTube today, for those that have the stomach.
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