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AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War
"AC/DC" tells the little-known story of how Thomas Edison wrongly bet in the fierce war between supporters of alternating current and direct current. The savagery of this electrical battle can hardly be imagined today. The showdown between AC and DC began as a rather straightforward conflict between technical standards, a battle of competing methods to deliver essentially the same product, electricity. But the skirmish soon metastasized into something bigger and darker. In the AC/DC battle, the worst aspects of human nature somehow got caught up in the wires; a silent, deadly flow of arrogance, vanity, and cruelty. Following the path of least resistance, the war of currents soon settled around that most primal of human emotions: fear. "AC/DC" serves as an object lesson in bad business strategy and poor decision making. Edison's inability to see his mistake was a key factor in his loss of control over the "operating system" for his future inventions—not to mention the company he founded, General Electric.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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April 25, 2018
According to McNichol some ancient beliefs about lightening persist to this dayin Africa. Yeah, no kidding. I wonder why that is!
It's a quick read covering the AC/DC fight between Tesla and Edison with a brief history of electricity and each of the inventors.
The most memorable section covers the 'dog experiments' piloted by Harold Brown at Edison's Labs. A chief arguing point being which is safer AC or DC. Safety is problematic to prove, but dead is obvious. So, it’s a matter of which one is the most lethal. Yelp, piddle and die. Eventually, he measured the body weight instead of just guesstimating it. An Agent of the SPCA ordered a halt at one public demonstration. They used larger animals also to address arguments that people are bigger than dogs. Poor bull. Poor elephant. Well, it was probably less painful than the repeated efforts to hang an elephant to death in a separate incident. Back in the day, trial and conviction of animals for their crimes was popular. As we all know, AC won death by electrocution in the prisons.
October 16, 2021
AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standard War
By Tom McNichol
This was very informative although I had read many books on the subject before, this was well done and packed in a compact package.
It gave personal insights into each man, even as kids, on their strange quirks, odd behavior, or lack of feelings. Each was a bit odd except Westinghouse.
The men were Westinghouse, Edison ( who I have always despised), and Tesla. The book explained the Ac/Dc workings and how each planned on using it. What happened and what happened to their businesses.
Very interesting read. It missed a lot but it was just a short book but it really crammed a lot into this!
By Tom McNichol
This was very informative although I had read many books on the subject before, this was well done and packed in a compact package.
It gave personal insights into each man, even as kids, on their strange quirks, odd behavior, or lack of feelings. Each was a bit odd except Westinghouse.
The men were Westinghouse, Edison ( who I have always despised), and Tesla. The book explained the Ac/Dc workings and how each planned on using it. What happened and what happened to their businesses.
Very interesting read. It missed a lot but it was just a short book but it really crammed a lot into this!
April 22, 2016
Wanna know what Archer was talking about when he said he wanted to "Edison this elephant"? Read on.
Electricity and magnetism have always held a certain “wow” factor. Science often inspires a state of awe and wonder, but (to date) the likes of thermodynamics and stoichiometry have yet to inspire a Bar Mitzvah dance craze (though I'd definitely be down for learning the Thermodynamic Slide if it comes up).
Almost two centuries after Michael Faraday and James Clerk Maxwell extended unified theories of electromagnetism, the applications thereof continue to excite and boggle minds. The magical allure of electricity is what drew crowds to the shows of Dr. Archibald Spencer—a crowd which included (in 1743) one Benjamin Franklin.
Fast Forward to the Edison Era
Though the book contains interesting anecdotes on (and clears up some misconceptions about) Franklin, Faraday and the early electromagnetic pioneers, the players in the titular standards wars really begin with Thomas Alva Edison. The Edison family had way of landing on the wrong side of history: Grandfather John Edison was a staunch supporter of the crown during the American Revolution, resulting in a quick getaway to Nova Scotia when things didn't pan out too well for Loyalists; Edison's father, Samuel, was exiled back to America after participating in the Mackenzie Rebellion against the government of Ottawa.
In the years that followed, little Tommy Edison proudly carried on this heritage of stubbornness. Edison was brilliant, obsessive, and also kind of a jerk. He was deaf(ish) which was used to excuse some of his abstruseness, but still… Edison's rise from homespun tinkerer to “Wizard of Menlo Park” had several contributing factors including his acute sense of the power of the press—what it all came down to, though, was that Edison was a shrewd businessman.
The Business of Electricity
Thomas Edison was all about patenting his inventions (over 1,000 of them during his lifetime). He also knew that meaningful adoption of a new technology was about more than just selling a piece of equipment. The lightbulb was meaningless without a power source, and it just so happened that Edison invented and patented the direct current (DC) power network. But, before the “War of the Currents” could begin, Edison had to contest with the existing competition– gas lighting.
I'm not going to go into the ins and outs of the currents and technologies themselves—pretty much all you need to know was that alternating current (AC) was soon fighting for the same market as Edison and his DC setup.
Cast of Characters:
Edison (far left) you've met. The thoughtful looking fellow to Edison's right is Nikola Tesla. Though Tesla was decidedly more scientist than businessman (just one of the many things that made his brief stint working for Edison a bad fit), he knew enough to get eager financial backers excited about his patented AC induction motor and transformer (both of which were licensed to the fellow on the far right, George Westinghouse ). If there's a super-villain in this lineup, however, it's definitely DC-advocate Harold Pitney Brown.
Sparks Fly!
Once Westinghouse established his first large AC power plant (the type that's most likely powering your lights today), the advantages of AC in traversing long distances posed a real threat to the DC market. So, the Edison team (though they would make sure that technically Brown was not in Edison's official employ) turned to the tried and true tactic of fear mongering!
Though I've accepted the fact that, yes, sometimes the life of an animal must be sacrificed in the name of public health, Harold Pitney Brown's experiments were far from scientifically sound. The 40 or-so dogs rounded up and enlisted in Brown's desired demonstrations of the dangers of AC varied in shape, color, health and size— none of which were noted with sufficient detail ( “Saint Bernard puppy” doesn't give us enough data to leverage lessons learned). The first of these experiments took place with only DC-loving colleagues present, but even they became reluctant witnesses as Brown subjected the dogs to consecutive shocks of varying voltages and increments of time in between (one man present actually adopted one of the dogs in order to spare it from any more pain).
Electrocuting dogs and horses in public (always in scenarios sufficiently manipulated to make AC seem the more dangerous of the currents), however, just wasn't enough. So, when the states were looking to avoid the easily botched hangings of condemned prisoners by finding a new lethal replacement, Brown was all too happy to offer up his assistance in making AC the current of death .
Aww-Topsy at Her Autopsy:
Early electrocutions did not always go as planned. While Brown was usually on-hand, Edison stayed in the background (though he did suggest the act of death by electric chair being “Westinghoused” ). However, when a former circus favorite in her baby elephant days, Topsy, sent a few too many handlers to meet their makers, Edison was ready and willing to be on hand.
Conveniently enough, Edison had recently invented a contraption that could take many pictures in quick succession, the Kinetographic Camera , so real footage of Topsy's execution exists to this very day. However, the version from the Topsy episode of Bob's Burgers is just so much more fun.
In case that didn't do it for you, here's a clip from the “musical re-imagenactment of the very uplifting story of Thomas Edison and Topsy the elephant” starring one Tina Belcher.
Parting Thoughts:
This book was fun—a lighthearted behind the scenes look at a scientific battle that merits an easy 3.5/5 stars. Also, for those of you who are planning on reading Stephen King's latest book, Revival, the two books pair quite nicely (like a Burgundy Pinot Noir with an earthy Bison Rib Eye). Also, don't electrocute animals. Who knows—they might be able to give you some really good advice.
Electricity and magnetism have always held a certain “wow” factor. Science often inspires a state of awe and wonder, but (to date) the likes of thermodynamics and stoichiometry have yet to inspire a Bar Mitzvah dance craze (though I'd definitely be down for learning the Thermodynamic Slide if it comes up).
Almost two centuries after Michael Faraday and James Clerk Maxwell extended unified theories of electromagnetism, the applications thereof continue to excite and boggle minds. The magical allure of electricity is what drew crowds to the shows of Dr. Archibald Spencer—a crowd which included (in 1743) one Benjamin Franklin.
Fast Forward to the Edison Era
Though the book contains interesting anecdotes on (and clears up some misconceptions about) Franklin, Faraday and the early electromagnetic pioneers, the players in the titular standards wars really begin with Thomas Alva Edison. The Edison family had way of landing on the wrong side of history: Grandfather John Edison was a staunch supporter of the crown during the American Revolution, resulting in a quick getaway to Nova Scotia when things didn't pan out too well for Loyalists; Edison's father, Samuel, was exiled back to America after participating in the Mackenzie Rebellion against the government of Ottawa.
In the years that followed, little Tommy Edison proudly carried on this heritage of stubbornness. Edison was brilliant, obsessive, and also kind of a jerk. He was deaf(ish) which was used to excuse some of his abstruseness, but still… Edison's rise from homespun tinkerer to “Wizard of Menlo Park” had several contributing factors including his acute sense of the power of the press—what it all came down to, though, was that Edison was a shrewd businessman.
The Business of Electricity
Thomas Edison was all about patenting his inventions (over 1,000 of them during his lifetime). He also knew that meaningful adoption of a new technology was about more than just selling a piece of equipment. The lightbulb was meaningless without a power source, and it just so happened that Edison invented and patented the direct current (DC) power network. But, before the “War of the Currents” could begin, Edison had to contest with the existing competition– gas lighting.
I'm not going to go into the ins and outs of the currents and technologies themselves—pretty much all you need to know was that alternating current (AC) was soon fighting for the same market as Edison and his DC setup.
Cast of Characters:
Edison (far left) you've met. The thoughtful looking fellow to Edison's right is Nikola Tesla. Though Tesla was decidedly more scientist than businessman (just one of the many things that made his brief stint working for Edison a bad fit), he knew enough to get eager financial backers excited about his patented AC induction motor and transformer (both of which were licensed to the fellow on the far right, George Westinghouse ). If there's a super-villain in this lineup, however, it's definitely DC-advocate Harold Pitney Brown.
Sparks Fly!
Once Westinghouse established his first large AC power plant (the type that's most likely powering your lights today), the advantages of AC in traversing long distances posed a real threat to the DC market. So, the Edison team (though they would make sure that technically Brown was not in Edison's official employ) turned to the tried and true tactic of fear mongering!
Though I've accepted the fact that, yes, sometimes the life of an animal must be sacrificed in the name of public health, Harold Pitney Brown's experiments were far from scientifically sound. The 40 or-so dogs rounded up and enlisted in Brown's desired demonstrations of the dangers of AC varied in shape, color, health and size— none of which were noted with sufficient detail ( “Saint Bernard puppy” doesn't give us enough data to leverage lessons learned). The first of these experiments took place with only DC-loving colleagues present, but even they became reluctant witnesses as Brown subjected the dogs to consecutive shocks of varying voltages and increments of time in between (one man present actually adopted one of the dogs in order to spare it from any more pain).
Electrocuting dogs and horses in public (always in scenarios sufficiently manipulated to make AC seem the more dangerous of the currents), however, just wasn't enough. So, when the states were looking to avoid the easily botched hangings of condemned prisoners by finding a new lethal replacement, Brown was all too happy to offer up his assistance in making AC the current of death .
Aww-Topsy at Her Autopsy:
Early electrocutions did not always go as planned. While Brown was usually on-hand, Edison stayed in the background (though he did suggest the act of death by electric chair being “Westinghoused” ). However, when a former circus favorite in her baby elephant days, Topsy, sent a few too many handlers to meet their makers, Edison was ready and willing to be on hand.
Conveniently enough, Edison had recently invented a contraption that could take many pictures in quick succession, the Kinetographic Camera , so real footage of Topsy's execution exists to this very day. However, the version from the Topsy episode of Bob's Burgers is just so much more fun.
In case that didn't do it for you, here's a clip from the “musical re-imagenactment of the very uplifting story of Thomas Edison and Topsy the elephant” starring one Tina Belcher.
Parting Thoughts:
This book was fun—a lighthearted behind the scenes look at a scientific battle that merits an easy 3.5/5 stars. Also, for those of you who are planning on reading Stephen King's latest book, Revival, the two books pair quite nicely (like a Burgundy Pinot Noir with an earthy Bison Rib Eye). Also, don't electrocute animals. Who knows—they might be able to give you some really good advice.
June 20, 2012
A very shallow look at the AC/DC standards war, which is far too kind to Edison and largely ignores his plagirism of the inventions of others
June 16, 2021
"As a child I never imagined all the real monsters in the world would be humans." -Mobeen Hakeem
From this conflict emerged the foundation of electrical power we have today, but at what cost?
It's fascinating to see how the predictions this man made in 2006 on DVD formats aged poorly, considering we have largely converted to digital streaming. Will it be DVD or Blu-ray leading the future? Neither.
From this conflict emerged the foundation of electrical power we have today, but at what cost?
It's fascinating to see how the predictions this man made in 2006 on DVD formats aged poorly, considering we have largely converted to digital streaming. Will it be DVD or Blu-ray leading the future? Neither.
June 6, 2017
I loved this book. I'm an engineer by trade, and I loved hearing this story about the history of electricity and the standards battles that ensued after it had been harnessed for commercial use. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator (Malcolm Hillgartner) did an excellent job. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history, engineering, inventing, and the lives of some of the world's most industrious men: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and Nikola Tesla to name a few.
April 12, 2018
Fascinating, informative, relevant and just really good. 👍👍
August 9, 2014
(First read Oct. 2009; reread late July 2014)
Less technical than I had feared, McNichol's book focuses on the personalities of the key players (Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla) rather than on the purely scientific aspects of direct vs. alternating currents. This suited me fine, though I would imagine that those with a more scientific bent might have felt shortchanged.
It was illuminating (ahem) to learn about some of the less heroic aspects of Edison's personality and, of course, Tesla's well-known eccentricities were also explored. But I hadn't known much (actually, anything) about George Westinghouse, a man who balanced business savvy and scientific insight. Particularly striking was McNichol's account of Edison & co's attempt to discredit Westinghouse's AC through the use of some particularly gruesome experiments on animals, culminating in AC being used in the development of the electric chair. This section is not for the faint hearted, I should caution. However, it provided one of the most striking examples of how objective "standards" of what works best or what is in the best public interest are tainted by behind-the-scenes underhanded maneuvering. It's the way of the world.
Ultimately, however, AC (and Westinghouse) won out, for a very simple reason: alternating current can be transmitted over long distances, but direct current can't. I was surprised to learn that the power plant in Telluride, CO (a place I've visited on a few occasions) is the original one that Westinghouse built in an historic attempt to demonstrate how AC had an impressive range even over mountain terrain.
All in all, this was a good non-technical overview of an important chapter of industrial history. As is so often the case, what emerged was the lesson that "temperament is destiny" -- if Edison had been less stubborn and single-minded about being right, his firm would no doubt have been the one that was selected to light the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago -- and ultimately gone on to win the standards war.
Less technical than I had feared, McNichol's book focuses on the personalities of the key players (Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla) rather than on the purely scientific aspects of direct vs. alternating currents. This suited me fine, though I would imagine that those with a more scientific bent might have felt shortchanged.
It was illuminating (ahem) to learn about some of the less heroic aspects of Edison's personality and, of course, Tesla's well-known eccentricities were also explored. But I hadn't known much (actually, anything) about George Westinghouse, a man who balanced business savvy and scientific insight. Particularly striking was McNichol's account of Edison & co's attempt to discredit Westinghouse's AC through the use of some particularly gruesome experiments on animals, culminating in AC being used in the development of the electric chair. This section is not for the faint hearted, I should caution. However, it provided one of the most striking examples of how objective "standards" of what works best or what is in the best public interest are tainted by behind-the-scenes underhanded maneuvering. It's the way of the world.
Ultimately, however, AC (and Westinghouse) won out, for a very simple reason: alternating current can be transmitted over long distances, but direct current can't. I was surprised to learn that the power plant in Telluride, CO (a place I've visited on a few occasions) is the original one that Westinghouse built in an historic attempt to demonstrate how AC had an impressive range even over mountain terrain.
All in all, this was a good non-technical overview of an important chapter of industrial history. As is so often the case, what emerged was the lesson that "temperament is destiny" -- if Edison had been less stubborn and single-minded about being right, his firm would no doubt have been the one that was selected to light the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago -- and ultimately gone on to win the standards war.
June 19, 2021
Civilization as we know it now, would collapse within a few days if electricity is to vanish from the face of the earth on a fine morning. Global communication would be immediately cut off and lack of convenient energy would make the issue a life-threatening one. Electricity comes in two varieties – the type we receive from the distribution lines stretched to our homes and offices and the other kind supplied by batteries and used by electronic devices such as the mobile phone and handheld devices. The first is called ‘alternating current’ or AC which reverses current flow 50 or 60 times a second depending on the country of your domicile. The second variety is called ‘direct current’ or DC which flows in the same direction at all times. The supply companies generate, transmit over long distances and distribute only alternating current (AC) while direct current (DC) is often derived from AC through electronic means. It surprises us now to learn that a savage clash of industrial interests took place between the supporters of AC and DC in the last decade of the nineteenth century when both technologies were making baby steps. Both sides invested money and prestige on the duel in which AC backed by George Westinghouse made a decisive victory while DC supported by Thomas Edison bit the dust. This book tells the gruesome story of the battle and the horrifying tactics used by the DC side. Tom McNichol is a contributing editor for ‘Wired’ magazine. His articles have appeared in leading newspapers and journals in the US.
The book begins with a general introduction on mankind’s exposure to the electric effect in the form of static electricity and lightning. Early studies on the effect of electricity on animal muscles are also mentioned. When we reach the nineteenth century, the industrial scenario was ripe for an industrial solution to the growing need for energy for productive work. Edison stepped in to fill the gap. He was a real genius, though little schooled, who had become a full-time inventor in 1869. He had 38 patents to his credit in 1872 and at the peak of his career, a staggering count of 1093 patents stood to his name. Edison’s inventions sometimes were far ahead of its time. His first invention was an electric vote recorder for legislative assembly, which understandably didn’t sell well. The second invention was an improved stock market ticker which won him $40,000. The author makes a shrewd analysis of Edison in terms of his potential and contributions. Edison was at the right place at the right time with the right mind. He came into adulthood at the dawn of the Industrial Age. Had he been born 20 years earlier, he would have found few opportunities as an inventor; had he come along 20 years later, he might have ended up a frustrated researcher at one of the large industrial corporations.
Edison pioneered direct current, even though his interest was kindled in it in order to provide power to the incandescent lamps he was developing and planning to install countrywide. He experimented with various voltages, or electrical pressures. Too much voltage would quickly overheat and rupture the element; too low a voltage and there will not be enough light. He finally settled on 110 volts as a standard, which is still with us today. All of North America and a handful of other countries still operate on 110 or 120 V electrical system. Edison set up a central generating station working on DC which provided power to customers within a mile’s radius of the station. DC was not amenable to extension of the line as the losses on the cable mounted with distance. This required more generating stations evenly distributed around the city. But urban land was of prime value which increased the capital cost. Being of a reasonably low voltage, the distribution lines had to be thick, requiring more copper and still more cash.
McNichol then sets the stage for the oncoming battle. Edison’s only competition was in Europe, where the electricity market was cutting a different path. In 1882, Lucien Gaulard and John Gibbs patented the AC system for distributing electricity. In the US, George Westinghouse turned his sights to the new technology. AC transmission was largely unproven, but it had some interesting qualities. Articles in American trade journals were regularly hostile to AC, dismissing it as an unnecessary and unworkable alternative. Critics contended that in stepping up voltages to several thousands of volts to transmit power, much of the energy would be lost in the form of heat. But this was not so. Higher voltages meant lower current to be transmitted and it could be sent over longer distances. Conductor sizes also reduced. One central station could serve more customers in a wider geographical area. Just at that time, Westinghouse met Nikola Tesla whose concept of the AC induction motor provided a simple, rugged and lower cost solution to industrial drives.
And then, the standards war broke out. Edison’s side claimed that DC was safe and AC was a safety hazard that can electrocute the public. Harold Brown, an Edison accomplice and self-styled electrical engineer (the first one in history!) recommended that AC voltage is to be limited to 300V to avoid the danger it posed. This required heavier copper, effectively pricing AC out of the market. Brown then conducted a horrifying series of experiments to convince the public about the safety risks of AC. He performed electrocution tests on dogs, calves and horses and tabulated the results. These are reproduced in the book which gives a chill down the spine. Before he was finished, Brown experimented on 44 dogs at the Edison Lab, torturing them all but a handful. But the public was not convinced, who knew that DC also was equally dangerous. The commercial advantages of AC ensured its eventual victory. Edison was not in the habit of losing, and the idea of defeat in such a large enterprise as electricity only stoked his competitive nature.
Within four years of the standards war, DC lost. Edison’s company had purchased AC patents in 1886 as a hedge. Edison could have shifted some of his company’s resources to the AC standard and quickly made up lost ground on Westinghouse. But he stubbornly refused to budge – the AC patents purchased by the company were allowed to lapse. The investors then edged Edison out of the company. In 1892, Edison’s General Electric and Thomson-Houston combined to form the General Electric Company, which became a legend in the history of AC and electrical engineering. DC was still used in the 1900s for battery-run cars. But the invention of the automobile electric starter in 1912 eliminated the need for the hand crank of internal combustion engine, making petrol-powered cars as easy as to start electric cars. The discovery of Texas crude oil dramatically reduced the price of fuel, making it affordable for the average working man. Electric cars then faded out of the picture.
The book then looks at the modern setting where DC has made a decent and impressive comeback. The development of electronic devices ensured the continuation of DC. The new LED lighting also relies on DC. AC’s advantage was in high voltage transmission but DC is fast catching up with it after the invention of high voltage valves. The HVDC system has other advantages such as stability as well in interconnecting two AC grids asynchronously. The author then concludes that like in the standards war, all victories are provisional, all defeats subject to revision. Advances in technology, changes in the market place, in the way people live and what they value can overturn even the most entrenched technical standard. The book is easy to read even for a lay person.
The book is highly recommended.
The book begins with a general introduction on mankind’s exposure to the electric effect in the form of static electricity and lightning. Early studies on the effect of electricity on animal muscles are also mentioned. When we reach the nineteenth century, the industrial scenario was ripe for an industrial solution to the growing need for energy for productive work. Edison stepped in to fill the gap. He was a real genius, though little schooled, who had become a full-time inventor in 1869. He had 38 patents to his credit in 1872 and at the peak of his career, a staggering count of 1093 patents stood to his name. Edison’s inventions sometimes were far ahead of its time. His first invention was an electric vote recorder for legislative assembly, which understandably didn’t sell well. The second invention was an improved stock market ticker which won him $40,000. The author makes a shrewd analysis of Edison in terms of his potential and contributions. Edison was at the right place at the right time with the right mind. He came into adulthood at the dawn of the Industrial Age. Had he been born 20 years earlier, he would have found few opportunities as an inventor; had he come along 20 years later, he might have ended up a frustrated researcher at one of the large industrial corporations.
Edison pioneered direct current, even though his interest was kindled in it in order to provide power to the incandescent lamps he was developing and planning to install countrywide. He experimented with various voltages, or electrical pressures. Too much voltage would quickly overheat and rupture the element; too low a voltage and there will not be enough light. He finally settled on 110 volts as a standard, which is still with us today. All of North America and a handful of other countries still operate on 110 or 120 V electrical system. Edison set up a central generating station working on DC which provided power to customers within a mile’s radius of the station. DC was not amenable to extension of the line as the losses on the cable mounted with distance. This required more generating stations evenly distributed around the city. But urban land was of prime value which increased the capital cost. Being of a reasonably low voltage, the distribution lines had to be thick, requiring more copper and still more cash.
McNichol then sets the stage for the oncoming battle. Edison’s only competition was in Europe, where the electricity market was cutting a different path. In 1882, Lucien Gaulard and John Gibbs patented the AC system for distributing electricity. In the US, George Westinghouse turned his sights to the new technology. AC transmission was largely unproven, but it had some interesting qualities. Articles in American trade journals were regularly hostile to AC, dismissing it as an unnecessary and unworkable alternative. Critics contended that in stepping up voltages to several thousands of volts to transmit power, much of the energy would be lost in the form of heat. But this was not so. Higher voltages meant lower current to be transmitted and it could be sent over longer distances. Conductor sizes also reduced. One central station could serve more customers in a wider geographical area. Just at that time, Westinghouse met Nikola Tesla whose concept of the AC induction motor provided a simple, rugged and lower cost solution to industrial drives.
And then, the standards war broke out. Edison’s side claimed that DC was safe and AC was a safety hazard that can electrocute the public. Harold Brown, an Edison accomplice and self-styled electrical engineer (the first one in history!) recommended that AC voltage is to be limited to 300V to avoid the danger it posed. This required heavier copper, effectively pricing AC out of the market. Brown then conducted a horrifying series of experiments to convince the public about the safety risks of AC. He performed electrocution tests on dogs, calves and horses and tabulated the results. These are reproduced in the book which gives a chill down the spine. Before he was finished, Brown experimented on 44 dogs at the Edison Lab, torturing them all but a handful. But the public was not convinced, who knew that DC also was equally dangerous. The commercial advantages of AC ensured its eventual victory. Edison was not in the habit of losing, and the idea of defeat in such a large enterprise as electricity only stoked his competitive nature.
Within four years of the standards war, DC lost. Edison’s company had purchased AC patents in 1886 as a hedge. Edison could have shifted some of his company’s resources to the AC standard and quickly made up lost ground on Westinghouse. But he stubbornly refused to budge – the AC patents purchased by the company were allowed to lapse. The investors then edged Edison out of the company. In 1892, Edison’s General Electric and Thomson-Houston combined to form the General Electric Company, which became a legend in the history of AC and electrical engineering. DC was still used in the 1900s for battery-run cars. But the invention of the automobile electric starter in 1912 eliminated the need for the hand crank of internal combustion engine, making petrol-powered cars as easy as to start electric cars. The discovery of Texas crude oil dramatically reduced the price of fuel, making it affordable for the average working man. Electric cars then faded out of the picture.
The book then looks at the modern setting where DC has made a decent and impressive comeback. The development of electronic devices ensured the continuation of DC. The new LED lighting also relies on DC. AC’s advantage was in high voltage transmission but DC is fast catching up with it after the invention of high voltage valves. The HVDC system has other advantages such as stability as well in interconnecting two AC grids asynchronously. The author then concludes that like in the standards war, all victories are provisional, all defeats subject to revision. Advances in technology, changes in the market place, in the way people live and what they value can overturn even the most entrenched technical standard. The book is easy to read even for a lay person.
The book is highly recommended.
December 6, 2014
Interesting tale about the war between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse. Too much about the electrocuting of animals. I had hoped when they moved on from electrocuting dogs, cattle, horses to the electric chair that they were through. But, no, they came to electrocute Topsy. I'd forgotten about Topsy although I did once read about it in a prelude to a Sharon McCrumb book (which then had nothing to do with it - so I never read that book past the prelude. I would have been interested in the book, had she taken that story like.) I hadn't realized that one of the early Edison films was of the killing of Topsy. [Topsy wasn't completely blameless, big hulking elephant that she was. After all, she had killed three handlers in three years.] This film was deemed to be more entertaining than most of Edison's films. He didn't see the entertainment value in film. It took The Train Robbery for most people to discover the entertainment value. It also has a first splash of color - a little girl's red coat (later paid homage to in Schindler's List).
The first portion was basically a biography of Edison. I didn't notice that much of a biography about Westinghouse. Then it is the battle of AC vs. DC. And, for some reason - I guess to show the battle still rages on, he brings in the battle of Betamax dvd vs. Blu-ray.
For the most part entertaining for those of us whose eyes glaze over when anyone starts to talk about AC/DC. Putting it into this ego trip that it became for Edison and, subsequently, Sony, puts more of an edge to it.
The first portion was basically a biography of Edison. I didn't notice that much of a biography about Westinghouse. Then it is the battle of AC vs. DC. And, for some reason - I guess to show the battle still rages on, he brings in the battle of Betamax dvd vs. Blu-ray.
For the most part entertaining for those of us whose eyes glaze over when anyone starts to talk about AC/DC. Putting it into this ego trip that it became for Edison and, subsequently, Sony, puts more of an edge to it.
June 25, 2016
After finishing my last audio book I had to a new title. My holds were still outstanding. I took this morning to find one. AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards Battle. It gives the history of electricity. The battle between Edison who advocated DC and Tessala and Westinghouse who advocated AC takes up the bulk of the book. You also learn about basically how electricity works. It is awe inspiring not just the knowledge and vision required to help implement this kind of advancement but the determination needed to keep moving past failure after failure. I enjoyed this very much.
April 15, 2021
AC/DC is on of my favorite types of non-fiction: I start reading with only basic knowledge on the subject and end up with a thousand tabs opened on topics like "induction motor" for further research. Going into the book I knew that there was a market battle between Westinghouse and Edison over whether alternating current or direct current would become the electricity standard, but I didn't know many details about how electricity works or if we used AC or DC today. (It's AC.) I am now fully into the topic as if it were a current event and ready to call my electrical engineer friend to talk.
The book goes from early man using fire from lightning strikes, through Ben Franklin (including key and kite), and on into Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse and the creation of our modern electrical grid. The book was full of interesting facts, although the electrical "tests" done on animals by Edison's goons was incredibly disturbing. It's also disturbing for the human race in general that one of the first things invented with electricity was the electric chair, well before electricity was in most homes. Overall there is a strong sense of nothing new under the sun, with standards battles being waged constantly by big business, with an eye always focused on profits, monopoly, and personal glory with rhetoric focused on consumer well being.
The book was published in 2006 and could use an updated epilogue, as this one discusses the "current" standards war over DVD vs BluRay, the most non-issue of all technology. It hints that battery power (DC) for personal devices and electric cars will bring back the AC/DC question. I'm here for it!
Also, fun fact which I, as a non-Tesla electric car owner am obsessed with, is that Edison worked on creating an electric car battery at the turn of the century (ahead of his time on that one) when the earliest cars were either powered by gasoline, steam, or electricity. Tesla was the AC man, so it seems crazy that his name is the electric car name when batteries are DC. However, electric car technology is way more complicated than I can currently grasp, so more research and, again, a long conversation with an electrical engineer is needed! And thus, five stars for a non-fiction book for *sparking* my curiosity.
The book goes from early man using fire from lightning strikes, through Ben Franklin (including key and kite), and on into Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse and the creation of our modern electrical grid. The book was full of interesting facts, although the electrical "tests" done on animals by Edison's goons was incredibly disturbing. It's also disturbing for the human race in general that one of the first things invented with electricity was the electric chair, well before electricity was in most homes. Overall there is a strong sense of nothing new under the sun, with standards battles being waged constantly by big business, with an eye always focused on profits, monopoly, and personal glory with rhetoric focused on consumer well being.
The book was published in 2006 and could use an updated epilogue, as this one discusses the "current" standards war over DVD vs BluRay, the most non-issue of all technology. It hints that battery power (DC) for personal devices and electric cars will bring back the AC/DC question. I'm here for it!
Also, fun fact which I, as a non-Tesla electric car owner am obsessed with, is that Edison worked on creating an electric car battery at the turn of the century (ahead of his time on that one) when the earliest cars were either powered by gasoline, steam, or electricity. Tesla was the AC man, so it seems crazy that his name is the electric car name when batteries are DC. However, electric car technology is way more complicated than I can currently grasp, so more research and, again, a long conversation with an electrical engineer is needed! And thus, five stars for a non-fiction book for *sparking* my curiosity.
July 6, 2019
Short and sweet book about the history of electricity. Talks about Thomas Edison relentlessly championing DC in power lines vrs. Westinghouse and his plan to use AC. I guess we all know how that turned out but there are a lot of famous names in this book and their place in American history is filled in. There were a few things I saw in an epic rap battle but never understood until now. Edison has a big head start going so far as to create DC power plants with limited service areas. Edison’s side electrocuted a bunch of animals to try and prove DC was safer than AC. Tesla enters the picture by inventing an induction motor which allowed AC power to do work once it reached destination.
January 11, 2020
This was fine. I wanted to read it after consuming a book of articles about Amsterdam's EV charging infrastructure programs and experiments, and while this wasn't the best-written thing (I've grown spoiled), I did have a few aha moments and there will be a few takeaways. Not a total loss, but I'm sure there are better books out there about the early days of electricity and the aim to create nationally serving grids.
January 23, 2024
The only thing I have to say is screw Harold Brown, and screw Thomas edison, too! ...The book was good, but I had a rough time getting by the part where they electrocute the dogs!
November 19, 2022
This Edison-heavy look at the electrical standards conflict of the late 19th century was adequately written and made an incredible origin story quite dull.
Full of Edison supporters' atrocities and pettiness, Tesla was almost an afterthought.
There is a now obsolete appendix on the Blu Ray /HDDVD rivalry which has since been settled.
Full of Edison supporters' atrocities and pettiness, Tesla was almost an afterthought.
There is a now obsolete appendix on the Blu Ray /HDDVD rivalry which has since been settled.
November 22, 2008
After an introductory history of the "taming" of electricity (including Ben Franklin's kite experiments), this book tells the story of an epic battle: Thomas Edison, whose genius and creativity are well known, vs. Nikola Tesla, the mysterious eastern European inventor who was trained by Edison but then left to be backed by George Westinghouse. As understanding of electricity grew, Edison was a strong proponent of using direct current for all practical applications; Tesla and Westinghouse defended alternating current. Eventually AC won out for domestic applications because of its greater ability to be transmitted over long distances; but Edison persisted to find critical applications for DC (automobiles, storage cells) that also are critical for our modern lifestyle. I was fascinated by this book; it seemed well written and believable, and gave many looks "behind the scenes" into the lives and times, and genius of the inventors. However, in some places it was quite uneven; there were long segments devoted to using dogs as test subjects for electrocution tests, where it seemed the author was paid by the ASPCA to prey on our sympathies. And there were other areas where I wanted more technical detail and information. But in general, it was a fascinating introductory look at the lives of some incredibly gifted men and the challenges they faced in their professional endeavors.
April 15, 2015
Wars are always interesting, and as most wars this one was very dirty and not without casualties.
I liked a lot this book, because it explains very well the technical differences, advantages and problems in both electrical systems, and it also gives a nice introduction to the people involved in the war.
What I didn't like very much is that the book is very much Edison centered, leaving Westinhouse and specially Tesla relegated to a second plane.
I liked a lot this book, because it explains very well the technical differences, advantages and problems in both electrical systems, and it also gives a nice introduction to the people involved in the war.
What I didn't like very much is that the book is very much Edison centered, leaving Westinhouse and specially Tesla relegated to a second plane.
July 24, 2015
This is an overview of the men who developed and standardized our use of electricity. I became aware of the importance of George Westinghouse over Edison in this process. Additionally, I had never thought about the concept of standardization and its importance in the development of new technology-even today
August 30, 2020
Attention, everyone,
We have a very special treat for you.
It's a musical re-imagine-actenment of the very
Uplifting story of Thomas Edison and Topsy the elephant!
They say Thomas Edison, he's the man to get us
Into this century, and that man is me
They'll say "Aw, Topsy!" at my autopsy
And no one could be, more shocked than me
But I never noticed the curve of her trunk
And I never noticed his electric junk
We might just have found
Electric love
Electric love
Electric love
Electric love
[(Choir:]First he wanted to kill her
Off, now they've found an electric love)
Electric love
(First he wanted to kill her off, now they've found an electric love)
Fits like a glove
This is what really happened, people! THIS MAN, THOMAS EDISON,
SENTENCED TOPSY, THAT BEAUTIFUL ELEPHANT,
TO DIE BY ELECTROCUTION!!! HA HA HA HA!!
Uh-oh.
HERE'S YOUR HERO, DINKLER! HIT IT!!!
Is that you, Louise?
HIT IT!!!
I've been down here so long.
What's it like out there?
Are people still the same with their funny ways?
TEDDY, HIT IT!!!!
Oh, right, the thing we're doin'.
Oh!
TINA!!!
TINA!!!
Tina?
(Dramatic music)
I'm okay.
Oh, thank God!
Oh! Oh, God!
Oof!
I thought we weren't doing the death scene,
But I saw the sparks and went with it. Was I convincing?
Yes. Very.
Oh my God! I almost electrocuted my sister! I've become Edison.
Oh, you wish! So he electrocuted animals,
So what?! As if everyone here's so perfect! (sobs)
We have a very special treat for you.
It's a musical re-imagine-actenment of the very
Uplifting story of Thomas Edison and Topsy the elephant!
They say Thomas Edison, he's the man to get us
Into this century, and that man is me
They'll say "Aw, Topsy!" at my autopsy
And no one could be, more shocked than me
But I never noticed the curve of her trunk
And I never noticed his electric junk
We might just have found
Electric love
Electric love
Electric love
Electric love
[(Choir:]First he wanted to kill her
Off, now they've found an electric love)
Electric love
(First he wanted to kill her off, now they've found an electric love)
Fits like a glove
This is what really happened, people! THIS MAN, THOMAS EDISON,
SENTENCED TOPSY, THAT BEAUTIFUL ELEPHANT,
TO DIE BY ELECTROCUTION!!! HA HA HA HA!!
Uh-oh.
HERE'S YOUR HERO, DINKLER! HIT IT!!!
Is that you, Louise?
HIT IT!!!
I've been down here so long.
What's it like out there?
Are people still the same with their funny ways?
TEDDY, HIT IT!!!!
Oh, right, the thing we're doin'.
Oh!
TINA!!!
TINA!!!
Tina?
(Dramatic music)
I'm okay.
Oh, thank God!
Oh! Oh, God!
Oof!
I thought we weren't doing the death scene,
But I saw the sparks and went with it. Was I convincing?
Yes. Very.
Oh my God! I almost electrocuted my sister! I've become Edison.
Oh, you wish! So he electrocuted animals,
So what?! As if everyone here's so perfect! (sobs)
May 9, 2017
From Ben Franklin to industry after Edison and Westinghouse, this is a thorough examination of AC vs. DC electricity standards with an important role played by eccentric and unreliable Tesla. I have heard the story about Edison's stubborn and short-sighted clinging to DC and Westinghouse getting the AC edge thanks largely to Tesla's insights and his visionary induction motor, but this goes into much, much more detail of the horrific canine electrocutions done when Edison supported the similarly monomaniacal Harold P. Brown. Along the way this tells the story of the birth of electrocution as a capital punishment and the denouement of the Edison's side's animal cruelty in using electricity (AC, of course) to put down circus elephant Topsy. Topsy outgrew her value as a "baby elephant" and no longer of use for entertainment, was worth more for the grisly souvenirs that could be made from her carcass. Filmed and still available in video, this 1903 act proved to be the first step to culminating over a century later in the modern circus saying goodbye to elephants.
April 7, 2018
I love all books about rivalries and warring factions (Coke v. Pepsi; Beta v. VHS; Nintendo v. Sega) and the first one is fascinating, if completely arcane and rather incomprehensible to a dummy like me.
And yet even I was able to discern between Thomas Edison's Direct Current (DC) and the Tesla/Westinghouse Alternating Current (AC) standards. The difference between the two - - seemingly inconsequential to the layperson - - revolutionized life as we know it today. Indeed, when the power goes out, it is a true crisis.
But beyond the technical jargon (which is explained in plain, easy to understand language) are the characters, primarily Edison and the unscrupulous huckster Harold P. Brown (the real villain of the book) on the DC side; and the forgotten George Westinghouse, and brilliant, if mercurial, Nikola Tesla, on the AC side.
Edison, though undeniably brilliant, was also stubborn and often ill-tempered. And Tesla, the ideas man, was incredibly hard to get to know because of his solitary nature. Westinghouse is the low-key hero because of his combination of brains, humility, and integrity.
The chapter regarding the electrocution of stray dogs is extremely hard to read.
It's not exactly a deep dive but a terrific survey of a fascinating proxy battle in the 19th century.
And yet even I was able to discern between Thomas Edison's Direct Current (DC) and the Tesla/Westinghouse Alternating Current (AC) standards. The difference between the two - - seemingly inconsequential to the layperson - - revolutionized life as we know it today. Indeed, when the power goes out, it is a true crisis.
But beyond the technical jargon (which is explained in plain, easy to understand language) are the characters, primarily Edison and the unscrupulous huckster Harold P. Brown (the real villain of the book) on the DC side; and the forgotten George Westinghouse, and brilliant, if mercurial, Nikola Tesla, on the AC side.
Edison, though undeniably brilliant, was also stubborn and often ill-tempered. And Tesla, the ideas man, was incredibly hard to get to know because of his solitary nature. Westinghouse is the low-key hero because of his combination of brains, humility, and integrity.
The chapter regarding the electrocution of stray dogs is extremely hard to read.
It's not exactly a deep dive but a terrific survey of a fascinating proxy battle in the 19th century.
August 12, 2020
Having worked in the electrical field my entire career, I was familiar with the battles between Westinghouse, Edison, and Tesla, at least vaguely. I was eager to get more details and behind the scenes a bit more, and this book definitely helped with that. The author has done a lot of research, and presents the story in a very enjoyable narrative.
I already knew that Edison was as stubborn as they come, which had served him well, even though it sometimes didn't serve the public well. I also knew about Tesla's misunderstood genius, and gained a deeper love for his contributions. Westinghouse was someone I wasn't that familiar with, and am glad to know more about his contributions.
One item never got answered to my satisfaction: I had long-since been told that DC is actually much more dangerous than AC, but Edison and others claimed the opposite. I would have liked to have heard the 'why' behind Edison's claim, as well as the author's opinion on the matter. I am under the impression that the AC component breaks the skin easier, but that the DC component, once it's in the muscles, won't allow the muscles to release, so a grip on a wire becomes a death grip. Alternately (pun intended), AC crosses zero volts 120 times/second, giving the muscles a chance to release.
I already knew that Edison was as stubborn as they come, which had served him well, even though it sometimes didn't serve the public well. I also knew about Tesla's misunderstood genius, and gained a deeper love for his contributions. Westinghouse was someone I wasn't that familiar with, and am glad to know more about his contributions.
One item never got answered to my satisfaction: I had long-since been told that DC is actually much more dangerous than AC, but Edison and others claimed the opposite. I would have liked to have heard the 'why' behind Edison's claim, as well as the author's opinion on the matter. I am under the impression that the AC component breaks the skin easier, but that the DC component, once it's in the muscles, won't allow the muscles to release, so a grip on a wire becomes a death grip. Alternately (pun intended), AC crosses zero volts 120 times/second, giving the muscles a chance to release.
March 19, 2021
Pretty good read. Long before the Beta vs VHS or Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD standards war, there was AC vs DC -- but this was more than simply war of technical standards. It was a struggle between egos.
To quote: "the skirmish soon metastasized into something bigger and darker. In the AC/DC battle, the worst aspects of human nature somehow got caught up in the wires; a silent, deadly flow of arrogance, vanity, and cruelty. Following the path of least resistance, the war of currents soon settled around that most primal of human emotions: fear."
McNichol focuses less on the technical aspects of the "war of the currents" and more on the personalities of the handful of people that ushered mankind into the modern world - the bitter rivalry between Thomas Edison, who stubbornly wanted to protect his hold on the Direct Current electric distribution system he created, and George Westinghouse who took on Edison's protégé, Nikola Tesla, to create the Alternating Current system that was much more efficient to transmit power over long distances.
To quote: "the skirmish soon metastasized into something bigger and darker. In the AC/DC battle, the worst aspects of human nature somehow got caught up in the wires; a silent, deadly flow of arrogance, vanity, and cruelty. Following the path of least resistance, the war of currents soon settled around that most primal of human emotions: fear."
McNichol focuses less on the technical aspects of the "war of the currents" and more on the personalities of the handful of people that ushered mankind into the modern world - the bitter rivalry between Thomas Edison, who stubbornly wanted to protect his hold on the Direct Current electric distribution system he created, and George Westinghouse who took on Edison's protégé, Nikola Tesla, to create the Alternating Current system that was much more efficient to transmit power over long distances.
March 6, 2024
An interesting story of how America was electrified and the players involved. Attention is given to Franklin, Edison, Tesla, and Westinghouse, among others for their involvement in the conflict between use of AC or DC current to power homes and businesses. It was a quick read and very informative. Highlights included the development of the Edison lightbulb (and more importantly the development of an entire electrical system to make it shine), the 1893 Chicago World Fair, and the Tesla induction motor and Tesla multiphase system. How I wish I could have been there to see these marvels as those there saw them!
The criticisms I have keeping this from being a 5 star review are: 1) I could have done without history of the electric chair. I acknowledge this highlights just how dirty the players in the standards war were willing to get but it’s just not something I’m interested to know about in detail. 2)The final chapter discussing modern batteries and technology is out of date.
Overall an interesting read about a historical confilct that impacts everyday life across the world.
The criticisms I have keeping this from being a 5 star review are: 1) I could have done without history of the electric chair. I acknowledge this highlights just how dirty the players in the standards war were willing to get but it’s just not something I’m interested to know about in detail. 2)The final chapter discussing modern batteries and technology is out of date.
Overall an interesting read about a historical confilct that impacts everyday life across the world.
August 14, 2018
This book is a great, readable look at the fierce conflict between Thomas Edison (and his proxies) and George Westinghouse (and Nikola Tesla).
It goes deep into the history of electricity research in a wonderful way. I found it endlessly fascinating. The main protagonists are well fleshed-out, and I found myself rooting for the crotchety old Edison, even though I knew that he would lose. (Not really a spoiler: AC wins.)
I'm not an expert on Edison, Tesla, or Westinghouse. As far as I can tell from other reviews, this book snapshots a very specific portion of these men's lives and doesn't portray any of them in the best light. As the book says, this conflict "brought out the worst in everyone."
The book does go into all of their backstories, though.
It's worth a read for anyone who's interested in Tesla, Edison, or late 19th-century science or industry.
Content warning: This book features a heavy section on animal torture and killing.
It goes deep into the history of electricity research in a wonderful way. I found it endlessly fascinating. The main protagonists are well fleshed-out, and I found myself rooting for the crotchety old Edison, even though I knew that he would lose. (Not really a spoiler: AC wins.)
I'm not an expert on Edison, Tesla, or Westinghouse. As far as I can tell from other reviews, this book snapshots a very specific portion of these men's lives and doesn't portray any of them in the best light. As the book says, this conflict "brought out the worst in everyone."
The book does go into all of their backstories, though.
It's worth a read for anyone who's interested in Tesla, Edison, or late 19th-century science or industry.
Content warning: This book features a heavy section on animal torture and killing.
April 26, 2019
This book proves that fear-mongering, twisting data to suit your needs, and spreading lies about your competition are nothing new. It's not a technical book, but more history-focussed, on the rise of electricity from Ben Franklin's experiments (which are probably the best part of the book), to the final days of Edison.
It's a shame to see how much time (and energy - haha) was wasted on the AC/DC fight that could have been directed to further advancements and inventions (Edison's movie camera was delayed for years because he was too busy "fighting" Westinghouse over AC).
This book is not for animal lovers! The descriptions of Brown's beyond cruel dog experiments (under Edison's full knowledge and sanction) were enough to turn my gut. And the absolute inhumanity over the treatment of the circus elephant toward the end is horrible.
It's a shame to see how much time (and energy - haha) was wasted on the AC/DC fight that could have been directed to further advancements and inventions (Edison's movie camera was delayed for years because he was too busy "fighting" Westinghouse over AC).
This book is not for animal lovers! The descriptions of Brown's beyond cruel dog experiments (under Edison's full knowledge and sanction) were enough to turn my gut. And the absolute inhumanity over the treatment of the circus elephant toward the end is horrible.
June 13, 2023
"AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War" is an interesting glimpse into the battles waged to establish standards, in this case, the standard for electrical power generation and distribution. As an electrical engineer, the subject caught my attention immediately. Unsurprisingly, the battles were not primarily fought with scientific facts or engineering expertise, but rather with misinformation, fearmongering, and overblown egos and greed. As the cover image suggests, the face off between Edison and Westinghouse was fierce and brutal, and in the end, the loser never really conceded defeat. The book refreshed some forgotten history related to Edison and Westinghouse, but more interestingly, provided many insights into their personalities and motivations as manifest in this particular conflict. This is a nice concise history which is fun in a geekish sort of way. Good book.
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April 1, 2022I did not read this biography of Australian hard rockers AC/DC very carefully... (Just kidding, April Fools Day review)
Seriously, I appreciated McNichol's ability to craft a fascinating technological history centered on Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla's electric standards battle.
For most audiences, the level of both historical background and technical jargon is probably spot on, but I felt McNichol could have gone a bit deeper.
This book is a bit dated at this point, and that becomes relevant with the concluding remarks about the standards war over enhanced DVD formats.
Still, overall, a solid work here that does the job of illuminating a critical moment in US technological history. (Pun intended)
Seriously, I appreciated McNichol's ability to craft a fascinating technological history centered on Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla's electric standards battle.
For most audiences, the level of both historical background and technical jargon is probably spot on, but I felt McNichol could have gone a bit deeper.
This book is a bit dated at this point, and that becomes relevant with the concluding remarks about the standards war over enhanced DVD formats.
Still, overall, a solid work here that does the job of illuminating a critical moment in US technological history. (Pun intended)
April 2, 2022
Loved reading every bit of it. The book takes a relatively neutral view on Edison and Tesla, as compared to the tabloid fiction propagated to make Edison seem like a patent-stealing monster living off on his employee's intellect, and Tesla being a superhero inventor who never got his due. Both men achieved great things and made world a better place to live. The real hero in my opinion was Westinghouse who won the battle of the currents with absolute tenacity and integrity, but whose name is sadly lost in the history books. The Epilogue talks about the ongoing standard battle between HD DVD vs Blu Ray. The book was published in 2006, and both of these formats are now "extinct". Shows how fast the world has progressed in just over a decade.
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