In May 1885 George Westinghouse bought the patent rights to Tesla's
polyphase alternating current dynamos, transformers, and motors. Thus, the
titantic battle for surpremicy in generating electricity was between the now
Westinghouse AC approach and the Edison DC approach with Tesla on the
"sidelines" as an expert witness.
As a loyal (and, probably, biased)Westinghouse employee of almost 30 years,
it is interesting (and admittedly off the point) to note that, while
certainly not originating the concept of AC electricity, as an employer,
Westinghouse did originate the idea of half a day off on Saturday (1871),
employee pension funds (1908), and paid vacations (1913).
Don Polvani
Anne Arundel Community College
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Formerly of Westinghouse Electric Corporation
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Edmiston [mailto:edmiston@BLUFFTON.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 2:59 PM
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Subject: Tesla or Westinghouse?
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