Edison's 'Electrocuting an Elephant' - Early film on electric current dangers and animal welfare.

Thomas Edison's film studio released a short film titled 'Electrocuting an Elephant' that documented the public execution of Topsy the elephant. Topsy had been involved in several incidents and was deemed dangerous by the owners of Luna Park, Coney Island. They decided that electrocution would serve as a public spectacle and a demonstration of the dangers of alternating current (AC), a subject of the ongoing War of Currents between Edison and Nikola Tesla, who advocated for alternating current. Topsy was led to a location, and electrodes were attached to her feet. Approximately 6,600 volts of electricity were applied, leading to her death within seconds. The execution was filmed and distributed by Edison's company to portray the lethality of AC current, contrasting it to the direct current (DC) that Edison supported. The film runs for about one minute and is one of the earliest examples of a filmed death. Upon release, the film served multiple purposes. It provided a chillingly real depiction that resonated with viewers and reinforced the dangers associated with AC power. It also marked a significant early use of film for documentary purposes, demonstrating the influence and versatility of the medium. This event contributed to public discourse on animal cruelty and the ethics of making such executions a spectacle. #MoofLife #ThomasEdison #TopsyTheElephant #WarOfCurrents #EthicsInFilmmaking #AnimalWelfare