Topsy the Elephant
Topsy the Elephant ( c.
1875 -
January 4,
1903) was a member of a domesticated herd at
Coney Island's Luna Park. She had been a part of the Forepaugh Circus previously. Topsy was deemed an ill-tempered and dangerous animal in that she killed three men in as many years, the last being an abusive trainer who tried to feed her a lit cigarette. For this reason, her owners decided to put her to death.
Cyanide poisoning failed, and a proposal of
hanging was abandoned after
ASPCA protests.
Thomas Edison suggested
electrocution, using the
Westinghouse alternating current system of electricity transmission, which Edison, a backer of
direct current argued was more dangerous. The ASPCA found this suggestion acceptable, viewing electrocution as a more humane form of killing. Electrocution killed Topsy quickly. Edison recorded the execution with a motion picture camera, and showed his film to audiences around the country, as part of his unsuccessful attempt to discredit AC.
A memorial for Topsy was placed in the Coney Island Museum on July 20th, 2003
See also
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