Lawrence Ruby has a nice report in The Physics Teacher (May 2002) about DC
power transmission rather than AC. In his report he describes the "battle"
between Edison and Tesla over DC versus AC power transmission. He also says
it was the 3-phase generator and high-voltage transformation process that
allowed Tesla to win.
The history books I have say the DC/AC battle was waged between Thomas
Edison and George Westinghouse, not between Edison and Tesla. It is my
understanding that the works of Tesla, the patents of which were bought by
Westinghouse, were what ultimately allowed Westinghouse to "win," but I was
not under the impression that Tesla himself was part of the debate with
Edison.
I was also under the impression that Tesla's work leading to the induction
motor was the major deciding factor in favor of AC because it allowed a
brushless arcless motor.
Of course, some historians might not understand the science and might have
got some things twisted around. Does anyone have reliable information on
this?
Michael D. Edmiston, Ph.D. Phone/voice-mail: 419-358-3270
Professor of Chemistry & Physics FAX: 419-358-3323
Chairman, Science Department E-Mail edmiston@bluffton.edu
Bluffton College
280 West College Avenue
Bluffton, OH 45817