Title

Empires of light : Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the race to electrify the world.

Description

A chronicle of scientific history recounts the race among inventor Thomas Edison, eccentric genius Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, a tough entrepreneur and powerful empire builder, to bring electricity to the world.

Subject

"Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931."

"Tesla, Nikola, 1856-1943."

"Westinghouse, George, 1846-1914."

"Electrical engineering--History."

"Electrification--History."

"Electric power--History."

"Competition--United States."

Text

Transcription of Annotations
Notes on front endpapers: "Edison's obstinate opposition to AC [alternate current]. -- Volts, Amps, Ohms; Michael Faraday. - Burnt Morgan library; William Vanderbilt - small fire. - Why were George Westinghouse archives vetted so carefully (p. 376)? - William Gilbert (for Queen Elizabeth) coined word 'electric' - [the] Greek word for amber is 'electron'. - John Hart's ax murder of his wife, p. 185. - Edison - deaf. - Kinetoscope. - Light bulb controversy; J. P. Morgan's home; Electric chair; The Word's Fair; Niagara." - Notes on half-title page refer to Tesla's polyphase induction motors, Edison's winning a clear-cut patent for the light bulb, the execution by electrocution of William Kemmler, and the accidental death of John Feeks by electrocution. The back endpapers include statistical information on the increased use of electricity in America and list the death dates and the number of patents of George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla. -- Annotations by Brian Lamb in the margins and underlining of pertinent phrases throughout the book.

Creator

Jonnes, Jill

Source

Brian Lamb Booknotes Collection

Gift of Brian Lamb, 2011.

Catalog record

Publisher

Random House

George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives

Date

2003

Program air date: October 26, 2003

Rights

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Relation

Original Booknotes interview

Format

1st ed.

Language

eng

Identifier

2500200

375507396