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The controversy between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla is on..

Added 2024-08-22 18:18:02 +0000 UTC

The controversy between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla is one of the most famous rivalries in the history of science and technology, often referred to as the "War of the Currents.”

**Thomas Edison** was a leading inventor and businessman, best known for developing the practical incandescent light bulb and direct current (DC) electricity distribution systems. Edison believed in the potential of DC and heavily invested in promoting it as the standard for electrical power distribution.

**Nikola Tesla**, a Serbian-American inventor and engineer, once worked for Edison but later became one of his fiercest competitors. Tesla developed the alternating current (AC) system, which he believed was more efficient for transmitting electricity over long distances. AC could be transformed to higher or lower voltages with the use of transformers, making it more practical and cost-effective for widespread use.

The conflict between the two became particularly intense in the late 1880s, with Edison aggressively promoting DC as safer and less prone to accidents. He went as far as to demonstrate the dangers of AC by publicly electrocuting animals and even supporting the development of the electric chair, which used AC, to associate it with death and danger.

Despite Edison’s efforts, AC eventually won out. Tesla's AC system, backed by industrialist George Westinghouse, proved to be more efficient and practical for powering cities. The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago was a turning point, where Tesla and Westinghouse used AC to power the entire fair, showcasing its superiority.

Ultimately, Tesla's AC system became the standard for electrical power distribution worldwide, while Edison’s DC system was largely phased out for long-distance power transmission. The rivalry highlights the intense competition in the early days of electricity, where the battle between innovation and public perception played a critical role in shaping the future of technology.