Edison's problem was that the calculation of AC power distribution involves some pretty heavy mathematics that he couldn't handle. The senior year in electrical engineering is a firestorm of calculations about reactive currents, power factors, phase angles, and more things I've forgotten already. Edison was self-educated, and much of the AC stuff was coming into existence as Edison was building his DC system. But regardless, all of the AC ins and outs were far beyond Edison's capability, so he just stuck with his DC stations. They hung on for many years in some cities.
----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 10:56 PM Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Edison and the Tube/bragging on Steve Medved.(NowTesla and Steve) > Tesla was another nemesis of Edison. He developed A/C current as an > alternative to Edison's safer, but less efficient, and more problematic > DC systems. > Tesla, a native Serb, developed the idea of stepping up voltages to very > high > levels for transmission, and then stepping them down again for domestic > use. > Edison thought this was very dangerous. Remember, this was all brand new > technology at the time, technology we now take for granted. > > Edison's system required huge cables that carried lower voltages, at high > amperages. Tesla's system was just the opposite. Transmission of power > over > long distances was also much harder with Edison's D/C system. Look at the > battery cables on your car, which carry 12 volts, and then look at the > cord on a > small household appliance which operates at 120 volts to get an idea of > the > difference. > > This battle was waged as an all-out war between the backers of the > Tesla/Westinghouse companies, and the Edison companies. Edison's people > resorted to > tactics that would probably land them in jail today. Edison's men > assembled > galleries of reporters, shoved stray dogs they'd bought from the > neighborhood > children out on to a large metal plate, and then "hit the juice." The > resulting paroxysms of the dying animals, and malodorous smell of burning > fur gave > more than one observer doubts about the safety of the Tesla/Westinghouse > system, because if one of the step-down transformers shorted out, an > unsuspecting > homeowner could reach to turn on a light bulb, and become one himself. > > Edison lost out, and the A/C systems we now take for granted covered the > country. However, true to form, Edison clung stubbornly to his DC system, > and > some parts of the Edison Phonograph Works still used D/C power until they > were > shut down in 1929. > > As for Steve Medved, he is a wonderfully knowledgeable and helpful person. > He is a true enthusiast who likes sharing information as much as he enjoys > acquiring it. I am sure that if a reproducer can be made to sing, he is > the one > to help it find its voice. > > Randy > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > [email protected] > > Phono-L Archive > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org/archive/ > > Support Phono-L > http://www.cafepress.com/oldcrank >
