This article at Wired serves to remind me just how big and asshole Thomas Edison really was. While typically lionized and romanticized as a brilliant creator, the fact that he was ruthless and selfish to a fault often get passed over. Keep in mind, the only reason he killed Topsy was to for a propaganda coup against a rival technology. As the article notes, that’s in addition to the dogs and cats he killed for the same reason.
Also, his treatment (or, more correctly, mistreatment) of Nikola Tesla stands as another example of Edison’s dubious character. Tesla was every bit as brilliant as Edison, more so in fact, and was given the opportunity to improve Edison’s designs for DC generators. If successful, Edison promised him $50,000. Tesla was successful, but Edison never paid up. Instead, Tesla became a punchline for Edison: “Tesla, you don’t understand our American humor.” is what Edison reportedly replied to Tesla.
Like I said, not a good guy.
5 replies on “Edison Not a Good Guy”
In a fight to the death between Edison and Gates…who would you quietly cheer for?
Ooooo- that’s a good one. I’d have to go with the underdog, which would be Gates. Edison would clearly fight dirty. You know, like tase Gates with something Tesla invented…
… well, progress is not always pretty … and human nature is ALWAYS a questionable factor in most aspects of developing societies … if you read Edison’s biography you will see that he did not treat his family any better than his work associates. The beneficiaries of scientific advancements do not often fair any better than the victims …
Would Jobs referee the contest?
… the book: Wizard of Menlo Park … is a pretty good insight into Edison’s life … he just had the sorry accident of notoriety … and was really alot like Jobs or Gates … just a precursor to any of the innovators we see today … but without the added dimension of facebook/twitter/google/androids/computers or iphones !