detailed account these events given Thomas Hughes, "Harold P. this lineshaft
was used, the electrocution experiments were carried out what now the
museum the Edison National Historic Site, just across the room from the visitor
information desk. carry out the
experiments, Siemens alternator was acquired and its output connected a
metal sheet placed the floor.507 The
153
.Building Powerhouse, Period 1887-1900
Building may have been the site the infamous electrocution experiments of
the "Battle the Systems" (figure 147).
A review drawing and photograph Building (figures 145 and 146) shows
a lineshaft the bottom these figures that was likely place attach the
Siemens alternator used generate the high voltage current. Edison set out prove that alternating
current was dangerous and succeeded this goal carrying out series of
highly publicized experiments the West Orange laboratory. Galvanometer
Building," Notebook N-88-06-06.
Brown and the Executioner’s Current: Incident the AC-DC Controversy," Business History Review,
XXXII (1958), pp.
Laverty noted that "the old steam engine" the machine shop was stopped the
summer 1910 but not taken out, and electric motors were installed.506 The experiments probably took
place either Building Building but the evidence does not clearly indicate
which building was used. Several small animals were coaxed onto the sheet
and the current applied. 143-65.
Building Period II: 1901-1914 and Period III: 1915-1931
In the twentieth century electricity the Edison laboratory complex was supplied
by the Phonograph Works.
SM Marshall, Recollections ofEdison, 66. The steam engines were taken out 1910 and two
large electric motors placed the machine shop power the overhead shafts." David Marshall was
one the laboratory staff who witnessed these experiments looking through
the windows the room from the courtyard.505
505 Kennelly’s meticulous accounts these experiments, with drawings the circuits, can found in
"Record Book Galvanometer Building," Notebook N-88-05-24 and "Record book No.
807 Historian’s Note 90.
The newspapers provided artist’s impressions the experiments, which were
greatly exaggerated, but there were photographs ever published the interior
of the building that hosted the "Battle the Systems
