When ‘War of Currents’ happened to prevent electricity from reaching homes, famous scientist killed many cows

It is absolutely true that when the world famous scientist named Nikola Tesla invented AC current i.e. alternating current, then to stop it, a great scientist like Edison did something that would be unbelievable.

The electricity that reaches all over the world from homes to factories, markets and everywhere else is AC electricity i.e. electricity with alternating current. It was invented by a scientist named Nikola Tesla. Due to his invention not being effective, his rival scientist Edison had to stoop to a poor level. They had killed many cows to show its danger.

Kya Tha ‘The War of Currents’
It is still known as ‘The War of the Currents’ but we know very little about it. The War of Current was a historic feud between inventors Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla in the late 19th century, which reached a very low level. This also shows how two world famous scientists can fight among themselves.

AC vs DC battle
In fact, this battle was not only a battle of invention but it was also a huge corporate battle born out of it. The essence of this fight was to commercially advance two different types of inventions in power distribution. Edison invented direct current (DC) and Tesla invented alternating current (AC).

What was the lack of DC current?
In America, initially distribution of electricity from door to door was started through Edison’s DC system. But when this current was transmitted over a long distance, its effect was reduced. Then Nikola Tesla invented AC. When they started marketing it vigorously, people started liking it.

Clash between two scientists
The situation became such that these two big scientists of the world started taking the help of public relations campaigns, patent battles and marketing funds as if they were hostile towards each other. Because this fight was going to decide who will be the power of the world in the future. Through which current will electricity reach people’s homes and other places across the world?

Both scientists were giants of their time
Both Edison and Tesla were amazing scientists and inventors of their time. Thomas Edison was known as the “Wizard of Menlo Park.” He had 1,093 patents for inventions. He improved and invented the phonograph, motion picture camera and electric light bulb. Which affected the lives of the entire world. He came to be known as a great inventor all over the world.

When Nikola Tesla successfully accomplished this task by distributing electricity through AC current at the Giant Fair in Chicago. (file photo)

Tesla got more recognition after his death
Nikola Tesla was the “Master of Lightning”. He was a Serbian-American inventor. Mainly he was an electrical engineer, mechanical engineer and physicist. It was he who designed the modern alternative current (AC) power supply system. Also laid the foundation for many modern electrical and communication systems. Although Tesla did not get the respect and name like Edison during his lifetime, but after his death his name became brighter.

Then Edison built a new power station
Now let us talk about how the fight took place between the two scientists and who won. What tactics were used? Thomas Edison’s significant contribution to the direct current (DC) system was to establish the first electric power station called Pearl Street Station in Lower Manhattan in 1882. This power station was built to supply electricity to customers in a square mile area through DC system.

The advantage of Edison’s DC system was that it was safe at low voltage. This could provide electricity to the light bulb. But it had limits. Its power supply could only be within a radius of 1 to 2 miles. DC current is still used today but in batteries, solar panels and electric vehicles.

Why was AC better than DC?
Nikola Tesla’s alternating current (AC) system had a huge contribution in providing electricity to the world. He developed a polyphase AC induction motor in 1887, which generated and transmitted electricity. This was a revolutionary invention. After the advent of this invention, it was believed that the days of Edison’s DC power would be over. Because with AC current, electricity could be distributed over long distances with uniform intensity.

An entrepreneur made a huge investment in AC current
So it was believed that the future power system would be Tesla’s AC system. The War of Current officially began when an entrepreneur and engineer named George Westinghouse purchased Tesla’s patent for the AC induction motor and polyphase system. He decided to promote the use of AC for electric power systems.

How did this nasty fight start?
Since Edison had invested heavily financially in the DC system and was going to connect many people to it. He became distracted by Tesla’s invention. Therefore, he started a massive campaign to defame the AC system. Organized public demonstrations showing the dangers of ACs. An electric chair was created to show its deadly dangers. This fight became not only about commercial interests but also about personal egos.

Edison set out to prove that AC current was dangerous.
Edison’s campaign against AC was cruel and fear-mongering. Recognizing that his direct current system was losing ground to the AC systems of Westinghouse and Tesla, Edison tried to convince the public that AC electricity could pose a deadly threat. You can also die due to its shocks. Whereas DC system is safe.

Edison killed cows through AC
To prove his point, Edison made public appearances known as “Death by Westinghouse.” In it, he electrocuted stray animals by using it to show the “lethal” properties of AC current. These were chilling performances. Who had gone to the extent of cruelty. But even after all this he could not stop the AC system. Rather, his cruel methods were also criticized.

So what did Tesla do in comparison?
On the other hand, Tesla told people that AC has benefits and is also safe. For this he went to many places and gave lectures. He demonstrated it in big exhibitions. His greatest demonstration took place in 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where he used AC to light the entire fair.

Then how did AC start gaining acceptance?
In this, Tesla sent alternating current through his body, demonstrating that it was safe for humans. Due to this, AC current got widespread acceptance. Later it was accepted globally. George Westinghouse was a big player in the War of the Currents. His role was more than just an investor. He was a successful American entrepreneur and engineer who is credited with many innovations in the fields of electricity and transportation. He also obtained more than 360 invention patents in his lifetime.

Then how did AC current change the world?
He knew that Tesla’s alternating current (AC) was the thing of the future, so he not only bought his system and invested big money in it but also set the stage for the epic battle between AC and direct current (DC). The efficiency of AC and its ability to transmit power over long distances made it a more economical and practical option for large-scale power distribution.

So the electricity which lights up the entire city and which reaches our homes unhindered, which has made human life very easy, actually did not come easily, a big battle was fought for that too.

Tags: Electricity generation, Electricity prices, Power plants, Solar power plant