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History That Doesn't Suck

96: The War of the Currents: (Thomas Alva Edison v. Nikola Tesla & George Westinghouse)

History That Doesn't Suck

ProfGregJackson

Education, History, Society & Culture

4.55.1K Ratings

🗓️ 30 August 2021

⏱️ 64 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

“Tesla, you don’t understand our American humor.” This is the story of opinionated inventors with very different views on electric lighting; a story of invention, genius, conniving, and even electrocutions. This is the War of the Currents. Thomas Alva Edison believes in direct current. He’s convinced it’s safer. Freshly arrived from Europe, Nikola Tesla thinks alternating current has the potential to unleash indoor domestic lighting on a whole new level and can be made just as safe. The men differ, and when Nikola teams up with George Westinghouse, Alva finds his position as king of the electric hill threatened. But as Nikola and George will soon see: the Wizard of Menlo Park won’t take this threat lying down ... ___ 4 Ways to dive deeper into History That Doesn’t Suck Join our growing facebook community Get our weekly newsletter, The Revolution Become part of the HTDS Patreon family Subscribe to Greg’s monthly newsletter, Connected History Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Go to htdspodcast.com and click the live-in NYC link for more info and tickets.

0:23.0

That's htdspodcast.com to experience history live.

0:27.0

History that of course doesn't suck.

0:30.1

Advisory.

0:31.1

This episode includes the electrical torturing death of a dog and later the first ever execution

0:36.1

of a person in the electric chair.

0:38.5

Listen to discretion is advised.

0:41.1

History that doesn't suck is a biweekly podcast delivering a legit, seriously researched

0:45.0

hard-hitting survey of American history through entertaining stories.

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mini episodes, please consider giving at patreon.com forward slash history that doesn't suck.

1:00.1

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1:11.1

It's Wednesday evening, May 20th, 1891.

1:13.8

We're in a lecture hall at Columbia College in New York City and write this minute.

1:19.0

Some of the finest minds in the United States are walking down the halls of Isles and

1:22.9

filing into their seats.

...

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