Who invented the electric chair?A carpenter, an electrician, a scientist - such options come to mind.You will probably be surprised to know that the profession of the man was different.In this article we will answer the question: who invented the electric chair?It requires detailed consideration, because the history associated with it, is very interesting.Thomas Edison in the late 19th century, invented the incandescent lamp.Of course, this person is not the one who invented the electric chair.However, it was the first step on the way to a multitude of discoveries related to electricity.This invention, in particular, has allowed us to use it for lighting cities.
idea came Albert Southwick
Many are interested in the question: who was the creator of a new method of execution?It is believed that Albert Southwick - the one who invented the electric chair.Job it - a dentist.This man came from is located in the state of New York in Buffalo.Whoever invented the electric chair (the profession of it, as you can see, a few surprises), believed that it can be used as an anesthetic in medical practice.Once Albert saw bare wires touched one of the residents of Buffalo.The man died as a thought then Southwick, painless and almost instantaneous.This case led him to believe that the execution of electrical origin can be replaced as a quick and humane punishments applied while hanging.Southwick first proposed the use of electricity in order to get rid of unwanted animals, instead of flushing them.Colonel Rockwell, head of the Society for the protection of animals from cruelty, liked the idea.
Conclusion Commission
Southwick in 1882, held a number of animal experiments and published in scientific papers results.Albert often find those who invented the electric chair.However, its development was attended by many people.In particular, Southwick showed the results of his experiments, David McMillan, the senator and his friend.He said that the execution of using electricity is painless, which is its main advantage.Makmillian advocated the retention of the death penalty.This idea attracted him as an argument against its abolition.Heard Makmillian handed DB Hill, the governor of New York.In 1886, a commission was established, composed of Southwick (profession of the person who invented the electric chair - the dentist, as already mentioned), Elyuridzh Jerry (policies) and Matthew Hale (judge).Her conclusion, which was outlined in the 95 pages of the report, was that the best method of execution - the execution of electrical origin.States recommended in this report be replaced by a new kind of penalty hanging.
law on the death penalty
In 1888, June 5, was signed by the Governor of the relevant law, which entered into force had since 1889.It remained to decide which one you should use the type of electric current: AC or DC.How do they differ?Let's face it.
AC and DC
worked over this question, scientists from various countries, long before the invention is made by Thomas Edison.However, Edison (pictured below) was the first to put into practice the theory developed by him.In 1879 the first power station was built.The system worked for Edison's direct current.However, it flows in one direction only, therefore it was impossible to supply current large distance.It was necessary to build a power plant to provide a medium-sized city with electricity.
Out found Nikola Tesla, the Croatian scientist.He belongs to the idea of using alternating current, which can change several times per second in direction, creating a magnetic field and without losing voltage.It is possible to increase or decrease AC voltage using transformers.This current can be transmitted with low loss over long distances, and then bring to the electricity consumers through a step-down transformer.
Start using AC
This system has attracted investors, one of whom was George Westinghouse (pictured below).
He wanted to make profitable use of the AC, but the technology of Edison was at the time more popular.It was on Tesla Edison worked, but that its development did not pay attention, and Tesla resigned.The scientist soon patented his idea.Westinghouse in 1888 bought 40 Tesla's patents, and more than a hundred cities in a few years to use the system of alternating current.
"Clash of the Titans"
In 1887, Edison began to discredit the system, requiring the collection of information from their employees on alternating current caused deaths.Thus he hoped to prove to the public safety of its method.
"Clash of the Titans" began when the question arose as to what type of power should be used for the death penalty.Nikola Tesla (pictured below) at the same time against Thomas avoided any statements and preferred to remain silent.But Thomas smashed Tesla with his characteristic enthusiasm and positiveness."The war of currents," lasted until 2007!In New York, only in the 21st Century symbolically cut the last wire DC.The entire network of America and the whole world was moved permanently to AC.
brochure and presentation of Edison
Since Edison did not want the invention it anyway associated with death, he wanted to alternating current was applied to the device intended for the death penalty.Scientist in 1887 published a pamphlet "Warning".In it, he compared the variable DC and pointed to the safety of the latter.
Speech before the commission, Thomas Edison made a strong impression.All present inventor convinced that using AC electricity from death is quick and painless.Commission to address this issue was faced with the alternative use of lethal injection, which is considered more humane than electrocution.That's it in the 20th century began to use almost all the states where the death penalty existed.Perhaps many would not have to suffer in the electric chair, do not be competition between companies, as well as the persuasive speech of Thomas Edison before the commission.The question was also that the implementation of execution using lethal injection occurs by doctors that for obvious reasons it is not possible.
first penalty
In 1889, January 1, held its first execution using this invention, as the electric chair (his photo is shown below).The unit that was used for it, called vestingovannym chair or stool Westinghouse, a few decades later.In the spring of 1891 passed the following penalty.For various crimes were executed 4 people.It was adjusted method of carrying out the sentence.It becomes more powerful generator and a thicker wire.2nd electrode was connected to the arm, instead of the spine.More smoothly passed these executions, and public opinion was adopted by the new method.
execution of William Kemmler
William Kemmler, who killed his wife with an ax civilian, was the first "tester" of innovation.He was executed in the city of Auburn in 1890, August 6.He could not well-known reasons to describe their feelings.Whoever invented the electric chair, I could have foreseen what happened.Those present at the time of the sentence by a witness mentioned that the offender was still alive after 15-20 seconds of the 1st category.I had to turn the current for a longer time and with a lot of stress."Experiment" is still painfully long time to follow through.Many protests of the American public and the world caused the penalty.
Murder with electric chair
We describe the technology of murder with the use of the electric chair.The offender sits on him and tied him to a chair with leather straps, fastening the chest, hips, ankles and wrists.On the fixed body 2 copper electrodes, one on foot (for better conduct electricity underneath the skin being shaved), and another - on top of the head shaved.The electrodes are usually lubricated with a special gel to reduce the burning of the skin and improve the holding power.Opaque mask worn on the face.
executioner pushes the button on the control panel circuit breaker, thereby feeding the 1st charge, the voltage of which is from 1700 to 2400 volts, and the duration - about 30-60 seconds.At the pre-set time of the timer, and automatically switches off the current.The doctor after examining the body of the two charges of a criminal, because he can not yet killed.As a result of respiratory paralysis and cardiac death occurs.
Improvement
However executioners of today concluded that the instantaneous cardiac arrest (ie, clinical death) does not cause current to pass through the brain.It only prolongs the agony.Criminals are now making incisions and the electrodes are introduced into the right hip and left shoulder to the charge passed through the heart and aorta.
electric chair - cruel punishment
Does it matter who invented the electric chair: a carpenter or an electrician?More importantly, this method of punishment is inhuman.Although violence in one way or another all the methods of execution, the electric chair was often gives the tragic problems that cause additional suffering condemned, especially in cases where the equipment used needs to be repaired or older.This led to the fact that this kind of death was recognized under the influence of Leo Jones, famous American human rights activist, unenforceable, cruel punishment, which is contrary to the US Constitution.
Now you know who invented the electric chair.Dentist Albert Southwick, apparently, did not know what fate awaits had come into his head the idea.Today, this method of execution became a symbol of the United States.But the electric chair was invented by a dentist who only wanted to relieve suffering.
