What if Edison would have won?

[LeftyStrat]

So Edison was a proponent of DC to the house. The system provided +100 volts and -100.

Kind of limiting for tube amps. I don't believe dc-to-dc conversion was available at the time.

Go Tesla!

[Leo_Gnardo]

So Edison was a proponent of DC to the house. The system provided +100 volts and -100.

Kind of limiting for tube amps. I don't believe dc-to-dc conversion was available at the time.

Go Tesla!

Edison wanted to sell his dynamo generators, lots of them. And DC would have required a generator every couple of blocks in cities & towns, so that fit his plans just fine. Perfect for running light bulbs & toasters, not much else.

Tesla understood the value of using transformers on an AC system, much more useful than DC. Also easier to bump up to hundreds of thousands of volts & sent hundreds of miles from generator to users. First major gen rig if I don't miss my guess was Westinghouse at Niagara Falls.

Yes, hurray for Tesla!

In recent times there have been built, and more proposed, DC transmission lines that claim to be "more efficient than AC". How that works, I don't know. Once I understand it, Edison may have the last laugh after all. The grumpy ol' git.

[LeftyStrat]

I suppose with recent technologies, i.e DC-to-DC conversion, it might be possible. But I still like my transformers. Even though they're heavy.

[Firestorm]

And he did accidentally invent the vacuum tube (sorta).

[LeftyStrat]

And he did accidentally invent the vacuum tube (sorta).

Not dissing him, so much, just wondering how we'd all get along with 100 volts DC running to our house.

[Leo_Gnardo]

just wondering how we'd all get along with 100 volts DC running to our house.

As long as all you need is light bulbs, toasters, stoves, ovens, space heaters, even all-house heating, then fine, not much difference. I suppose motorized items could be made to run off DC, as long as it's a DC motor. And easily reversible, just run it off the opposite phase -100VDC to run backwards.

Just about everything else runs off of some sort of voltage conversion which is handily done with transformers and more recently switching power supplies. I suppose switchers could just as easily run from 100 VDC.

About 100 years ago Edison delighted in showing the press how "safe" DC power was. He would hook up a stray dog & zap it with DC - no complaint. Then AC and the poor hound would howl & kick until the juice was turned off. Bad dangerous AC, you don't want that! Of course DC just fries the flesh without giving that "buzz" that tells you you're being shocked. Go ahead ask me how I know... Poor dogs, no ASPCA back then. In one of the Edison/Tesla books there's a chapter "Why are they electrocuting dogs in West Orange NJ?" So I guess there's a safety factor too. It's nice to know via 50 or 60 cycles that you're getting electrocuted and pull away from it. DC would just let ya fry like Uncle Fester.

[LeftyStrat]

I'm feeling weird, kinda shakey, like a segway coming on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBKCkybSAAQ

[cbass]

And he did accidentally invent the vacuum tube (sorta).

Not dissing him, so much, just wondering how we'd all get along with 100 volts DC running to our house.

It never would have worked anyway The Lines would have had to be big around as school bus to carry DC long distances.or have subdtations every half mile.I'm a Tesla fan I like reading about him.Edison was a better busninessman than inventor.

[Aurora]

Edison was a better busninessman than inventor.

I still think Edison was a really great inventor, but as common is, not every idea is worth pursuing...

I'm not even sure what would have been the outcome if Edison had won the battle, as important work was also going on elsewhere in the world, where Tesla's ideas had far less opposition.

[Firestorm]

Tesla was a crazy person; I like that in a guy. If only he been able to get his head wrapped around quantum physics and relativity, who knows where that might have led.

[Leo_Gnardo]

Tesla was a crazy person; I like that in a guy. If only he been able to get his head wrapped around quantum physics and relativity, who knows where that might have led.

Story is the US Gov't kept a close watch on him in his waning years and files on him are still kept secret. Maybe he did have some ideas on quantum & relativity, etc. but it appears his forte' was alternating current, both power systems and radio-frequency. Any correspondence he may have had with other scientists & engineers I'm sure was "of interest." Meanwhile he appeared to be a doddering old man, feeding pigeons in the park.

What's in those files? Secret stuff, maybe the hush-a-bomb.

Tesla fans have recently acquired the Wardenclyffe site on Long Island where his uncompleted RF power transmitter was located. Maybe more tales of Tesla will come to light.

Richard Feynman, also a little bit nutty, also well worth your research. His autobiographies and biographies are entertaining & provide some insight to science of the mid 20th century.

[rp]

Sorry for this folks, but it is actual history:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD0Q5FeF_wU

For Edsion's sake I hope the Hindus got it wrong and he doesn't come before Ganesh on Judgement day.

Anyway, I met more than one old timer on the Lower East Side of NYC who told me they lived in all DC apts. till the late 1960s. They told me you could actually still buy DC gadgets, appliances and stuff in the 'hood in till then.

RIP Topsy

[cbass]

Tesla was a fan of art,music,Litiature His ultimate goal was to provide free energy to the whole world.Once investors found that out well you can imagine the rest

[C Moore]

Thomas Edison was a Liar and a Thief.

[LeftyStrat]

Thomas Edison was a Liar and a Thief.

But he was just maximizing shareholder value...

It's sad that Tesla, the true genius, died a pauper.