She performed at the Forepaugh Circus for 25 years, and after killing a spectator in 1902, she wound up at Coney Island. While there, Topsy was involved in several incidents and again deemed unmanageable. Animal Biography: Re-framing Animal Lives. A lot of people have heard of Topsy, though maybe don't know her name. Topsy was an elephant captured in Africa as a baby and brought to America to entertain cheering circus crowds. However, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) stepped in and quickly squashed that idea citing reasons that hanging was unpardonably spiteful. Namely, the elephant killed three people in the last three years, including her abusive coach who allegedly tried to give her a lit cigarette to eat. Topsy, the elephant Thomas Edison killed, got her death sentence after killing three people, including her very abusive trainer. Topsy the elephant, here as well, was embroiled in several widely reported error incidents, mainly attributed to the inhuman actions meted out by either her unruly drunken handler or the park’s public attention-grabbing owners. Also, check out “Anti Tank Dog: The Soviet ‘Masterplan’ that Backfired to Disastrous Effects“. After all, the War of the Currents, “Luna Park originally planned to hang Topsy,”, Relying on information from previous animal electrocutions using alternating current, they decided electrocution would be a more humane way to kill Topsy. Animal Figure. BY Namrata Naha • November 2, 2018 Topsy the elephant being electrocuted in Luna Park. While there, the elephant, which was turned into a circus animal, was involved in several incidents, one of which killed a… Barnum, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison. One of the victims was J. Today, in any case, people introspect and consider this event as an absolutely deplorable and unforgivable moment that went down the chronicles as an extreme act of heinous crime and outrage against animal well-being. During the War of the Currents, Edison supporters—desperate to show that alternating current was much more dangerous than direct current—had electrocuted a number of animals: dogs, calves, even a horse. The current application was switched off after 10 seconds. A baby elephant from Southeast Asia was brought secretly to America. Abstract. His presence isn’t mentioned in newspaper accounts of the execution, and none of Edison’s correspondence that can be found now mentions Topsy in any way. (www.timetoast.com / Wikimedia Commons) Topsy was an elephant that belonged to the herd of performers in the Forepaugh Circus for a major part of her life. Barnum, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison. Wikipedia Article claims that Topsy killed an abusive trainer. Topsy elephant death electrocution at luna park 1903 Are elephants executed still today? “Topsy had, in fact, killed a man, but her execution was ordered only later, after she proved unmanageable at the hands of a trainer who savaged her with a pitchfork,” writes Vicki Constantine Croke in a review of Daly’s book for The New York Times. This chapter explores the biography of Topsy as an individual elephant whose life and death played a prominent role in the development of the animal industrial complex and the USA as an industrial, capitalist empire. Topsy’s graphic death (which was filmed and is available on Youtube) did perhaps represent “the culmination of an intensively [sic] personal and private drama” for Edison, Daly writes. His film of Topsy’s demise, the rather obviously titled “Electrocuting an Elephant” was viewed in theaters throughout the world. Fact Analysis: STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. A sad part of history. (www.metrolic.com / Wikimedia Commons). Topsy was an elephant that belonged to the herd of performers in the Forepaugh Circus for a major part of her life. Her death, which was filmed, was truly grotesque. This is the story of an elephant, electrocuted 100 years ago. And for Topsy, a member of a deeply intelligent and emotive species who was kept in captivity for so much of her life, Edison's feud couldn't have mattered less. On this day the the circus elephant Topsy was killed by electrocution. As the electrocution of an elephant was hitherto unknown, Topsy’s executioners made sure to complete the act successfully through a technique that combined all; electrocution, poisoning and strangulation. Her name was Topsy, and she was famous at a time when people were still amazed by an elephant. But Topsy had a temper. The execution, since then has been the subject matter of various books, articles and television documentaries. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If there’s one thing you can say/About Mankind/There’s nothing kind about man — Tom Waits. Fred and Elmer swung into action with Thomas Edison. Topsy: The Startling Story of the Crooked-Tailed Elephant, P.T. Save to Suggest Edits. The idea of an elephantine hanging was opposed by animal-rights activists (though another homicidal elephant… An illustration of Topsy, a female Asian elephant killed at a Coney Island, New York park by electrocution on January 4, 1903. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at [email protected]. She was later smuggled into America by Adam Forepaugh, the owner of Forepaugh and Sells Circus, who dishonestly used to bill her as the first elephant born in America. There was a huge blaze of fire and stench of burning flesh. Because nobody had ever electrocuted an elephant before, they decided to make sure the act would be completed with a combination of poisoning, strangulation and electrocution. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. View Source: Share. For whatever was left of her short-lived and pitiful life, she continued pulling massive building materials for construction and development. The electrocution of Topsy on Coney Island in 1903 was provoked by a series of incidents that gained for her an unenviable reputation as a “bad” elephant. Kat Eschner is a freelance science and culture journalist based in Toronto. A few assessments report that nearly 1,500 onlookers and 100 photographers attended Topsy’s electrocution. The War of the Currents had been lost, and Edison's opponents, Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, had won. The fire also destroyed Lorenzo Shaw’s Channel Chute, a wooden roller coaster built in 1895 that encircled the hotel and was often called the Elephant … Vote Now! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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In 1903, this sinister Wizard of Menlo Park supposedly pulled off his largest act of animal cruelty: using alternating current to kill an elephant named Topsy just so he could stay on top. Topsy’s passing away ended up being stale news decently not long after the episode, however, on the grounds that a video documentation of her demise still exists today, she has returned into the public appearance as an exemplary image of how to show care and respect to animals. 24.107.181.169 (talk) 04:06, 17 March 2013 (UTC) A year later, when the park was distressed with bankruptcy, its proprietor Paul Boyton leased it out to Frederic Thompson and Elmer Dundy who were then developing the Luna Park. Keywords Elephant Topsy Circus Electricity Edison New York This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access. Barnum, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison. Smithsonian Institution, Many believe Topsy was a victim of the so-called War of the Currents, the battle between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison over alternating and direct current. And even, the War of the Currents drew to a close in the 1890s, while Topsy’s execution came much later. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Terms of Use It received national coverage in the newspapers, and the Edison Manufacturing Co. sent a film crew to document it. Fielding Blunt, a handler who tried to feed Topsy a lit cigarette. After several incidents at Luna Park … She had a reputation for … 2018. Around then, an occasion like this generated a lot of buzz and curiosity among the general public. She was killed on January 4, 1903, with the whole thing filmed by Edison, which you can view here if you for some odd reason have a hankering to watch an elephant … Instead, he decided to cash in on the Elephant’s notoriety one last time by arranging a public execution. California Do Not Sell My Info Notes. According to them, Edison’s involvement is mostly dubious with newspaper accounts having no mention of it. The electrocution of Topsy on Coney Island in 1903 was provoked by a series of incidents that gained for her an unenviable reputation as a “bad” elephant. Give a Gift. Topsy the elephant being electrocuted in Luna Park. Today, 1903-Topsy the elephant is electrocuted by her owners at Luna Park, Coney Island and filmed by Edison Manufacturing movie company. Topsy's exhibitor, Frank Murray ("Elephant Walk") notified Florida’s Wildlife Conservation Commission, as required, of her death, but - as is the case, sadly, with most of the elephants who are forced to give their lives over to entertaining us - there has been no public notice until now. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But some disagree, saying that Topsy was destined to die anyways, and Edison’s electrocution was merely seen to be a convenient and humane way of accomplishing her death. Many people trust that Topsy was a casualty of the purported “War of the Currents” the scientific battle that was fought between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla over the concepts and viability of alternating and direct currents. Topsy was a domesticated elephant with the Forepaugh Circus at Coney Island's Luna Park. And for Topsy, who was a member of a species with profound intelligence and emotions, kept in bondage for such an extended period of her life, the feud between Edison and Tesla couldn’t have made much of a difference. The Luna Park Zoo at Coney Island decided that Topsy the Elephant was a danger to visitors after the 10-foot-high Indian elephant killed three trainers in three years. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They pre-gamed Topsy’s execution by feeding her carrots laced with 460 grams (a little more than a solid pound) of potassium cyanide. As the story goes, Edison found his target in Topsy, a murderous circus elephant that was slated for death. Topsy was about 35 years old at the time of her death, which is about half the expected life span for an elephant with a decent life in the wild. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Electrocuting an Elephant (also known as Electrocution of an Elephant) is a 1903 American, short, black-and-white, silent documentary film of the killing of the elephant Topsy by electrocution at a Coney Island amusement park. The cost of admission was 25 cents. Continue Nevertheless, Topsy was condemned to death. To write the biography of any animal who lived more than 100 years ago is a challenge. Topsy died within seconds. Topsy was originally owned by Forepaugh Circus where she killed a drunken spectator who burned the tip of her trunk with a cigar. Topsy details the ill-fated elephant's death and a life blighted by struggles between historic giants of the human herd. It sent shivers of 6,600 volts through Topsy’s body. The tragic story of Topsy began sometimes around 1875. It is arguably the most famous animal execution ever—the killing of Topsy the elephant at Luna Park on Coney Island in January 1903. The fact that any of the extant correspondence of Edison doesn’t mention about Topsy or an electrocution incident of an elephant at Luna Park is also worth noting. Atlantic Monthly Press, 369 pages, $27. She was deemed a threat to people by her owners and they discussed several means of execution. A century later, at the Coney Island Museum, a memorial was unveiled, not only to commemorate the life and death of Topsy the elephant but also pay heartfelt tribute to a soul that contributed significantly to the scientific advancements in that period. Cookie Policy Hugh Thomas, who was the chief electrician of Luna Park, performed the electrocution. Her death, which was filmed, was truly grotesque. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Privacy Statement As indicated by different sources, she supposedly killed by trampling two circus workers in Texas. But after a number of other near-death incidents caused by Topsy’s drunk handlers, Topsy’s owner realized he couldn’t keep her. Source linked specifically says it was a visitor to Coney Island that fed a lit cigarette to the elephant that was killed. While there, the elephant, which was turned into a circus animal, was involved in several incidents, one of which killed a… (Louis Republic article / Wikimedia Commons). But as is so often the case, that tale is not quite so simple. Get the best of Smithsonian magazine by email. Her body violently underwent a tremor before tumbling to the ground. On this day in 1903, Topsy the elephant died of electrocution on Coney Island. “Luna Park originally planned to hang Topsy,” according to the Rutgers University introduction to the Edison papers. It was a great man’s frustration and wrath at being confronted with getting an upper hand over and showing off his real worth as the true boss. Sadly, they’re not rare today either. He says Topsy was a victim of the “elephant wars” between circus proprietors, not the War of the Currents. However, writes Rutgers, it’s unlikely that Edison was a direct part of Topsy’s execution or even saw it. And, if she was really a ferocious, unmanageable beast, Topsy unquestionably didn’t demonstrate it on her last day. The author wishes … Topsy the elephant was innocent! 1903 was a landmark year for the inventive folk of the USA. In 1902, she killed James Fielding Blount, a spectator from Brooklyn, in utter anguish, who instigated to extremely trouble her by throwing a lit cigar into her mouth. The elephant belonged to Forepaugh Circus and was considered too violent, so it was decided to put her to death. Topsy was fed carrots laced with potassium cyanide, and her feet were placed in conductive copper sandals so she could be electrocuted. Edison’s electrocution was simply observed as a conducive and compassionate way to accomplish her death. Sources like Rutgers University are of the impression that a film crew which represented the Edison Electric Illuminating Co shot the video in all likelihood. However, things can go wrong. After they decided they could no longer handle … This morning we will be remembering the sad fate of Topsy the Elephant, who was put to death by electrocution for the murder of three.. 1903 was a landmark year for the inventive folk of the USA. But as is so often the case, that tale is not quite so simple. After all, the War of the Currents ended in the 1890s, while Topsy’s death came later. Topsy being escorted to cross the bridge for her execution. Topsy the elephant was electrocuted at Luna Park Zoo on Coney Island in 1903. “But the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals objected, claiming that this method of execution was unnecessarily cruel.”. An Asian elephant called Topsy was electrocuted in front of 1500 spectators by Thomas Edison in New York on January 4, 1903. The execution of Topsy, a female elephant, in a publicity stunt advertising the opening of Luna Park on Coney Island. The identity of a certain individual who apparently filmed the electrocution and consequent death of Topsy the elephant could not be revealed. Based on information from prior instances of electrocutions of animals using alternating current, Luna Park officials decided on electrocution as the preferred and more humane alternative to killing Topsy the elephant. It’s no secret to my friends and family that I’ve become obsessed with elephants of late. She used to be tormented no ends during the course of her training and performances. She killed three men in three years, the last a drunk trainer who had fed her a lit cigarette. It has been conjectured that Topsy the elephant was not a pawn of the war of the currents, but of the “elephant wars” among the circus proprietors. Topsy was fed poisoned carrots with her feet being strapped into copper sandals to apply the electric shock. The elephant traders in Southeast Asia seized the baby elephant weighing 200 pounds. What Daly argues, she writes, is that the War of the Currents was well over by that time, and what had been proven is that Edison’s direct current was effective at killing animals. The death of zoo or circus animals takes place behind the scenes, without spectators. Finally, the elephant was executed on January 4, 1903, at the Luna Park construction area in Coney Island. Topsy the Elephant gained notoriety in America as part of the Forepaugh Circus when she killed a spectator in 1902 and was subsequently sold off to Luna Park. And while Edison would eventually lose the War of Currents, the incident was far from a failure for him. Dead Topsy. This morning we will be remembering the sad fate of Topsy the Elephant, who was put to death by electrocution for the murder of three. Advertising Notice This film documents the publicly announced killing of Topsy the elephant at the unfinished Luna Park on Coney Island, New York City on January 4, 1903. If there’s one thing you can say/About Mankind/There’s nothing kind about man — Tom Waits. Numerous reports and sites allege that Thomas Edison not only recorded the entire event but also masterminded the killing. But it hardly made any impact. Jun 29, 2013 at 10:01 PM Topsy the elephant is electrocuted at the new Luna Park at Coney Island in 1903. He was trying hard to uphold the direct current theory in the United States as the ideal standard of electricity provision. Many believe Topsy was a victim of the so-called War of the Currents, the battle between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison over alternating and direct current. Their ranks include Michael Daly, the author of Topsy: The Startling Story of the Crooked Tailed Elephant, P.T. The tragic story of Topsy began sometimes around 1875. It was because of this stocked up pain and agony she became infamous as a rogue elephant. Edison eventually lost the War of the Currents to his opponent Nikola Tesla. After this much-hyped incident, Topsy was disposed of Coney Island’s Sea Lion Park. As the story goes, Edison found his target in Topsy, a murderous circus elephant that was slated for death. Topsy had to go. Keep up-to-date on: © 2020 Smithsonian Magazine. Then they strapped on metal shoes and hit her with 6,600 volts of pure death. And on January 4, 1903, Topsy was to be executed by due to be strangled with a crane at Luna Park in New York. With American society becoming increasingly sensitive to the affliction towards animals, Topsy’s execution has been portrayed as a quintessential example of indescribable cruelty to animals. On December 13, 1902, a press release from Luna Park issued a statement in newspapers that Topsy would be euthanized within a few days through electrocution. After this her reputation worsened, partly because of her alcoholic handler and the decision of her owners Frederick Thompson and Elmer Dundy to exploit her for PR purposes. There is also no evidence that Thomas Edison was in attendance during the course of the action. Memorial; Photos ; Flowers ; Topsy (circa 1875-January 4, 1903), was a circus elephant killed by electrocution on January 4, 1903. The elephant had recently been acquired from Forepaugh Circus, where she had a reputation as a "bad" elephant, having killed a drunken spectator the previous year who burnt the tip of her trunk with a lit cigar. Her life represents the treatment of animals exploited by the entertainment industry and symbolises America’s industrial empire. His hope was that a widely reported spectacle might stop AC from spreading and instead make DC the current of the future. Since such an incident of electrocution of an elephant was never attempted before, a sizeable crowd drew in to watch the event at the recently opened park. She was sold to Sea Lion Park in 1902 which was then sold to new owners who turned it into Luna Park. But was Edison really that dastardly? Atlantic Monthly Press, 369 pages, $27. In those days, like other circus animals, Topsy was a victim of human-inflicted brutality and abuse. He was then in strong contention with the alternating current strategy of Nikola Tesla. After killing a spectator in 1902, she was sold to Coney Island. By this time, Topsy had been characterized in the press like a convicted killer condemned to death, and so the people came to watch. Topsy (elephant) - Video Learning - WizScience.com - YouTube Have you heard of Topsy the elephant? or She had killed 3 men in as many years although it was undoubtedly because she was severely abused by her trainers. The Wright brothers achieved their first powered flight, pointing the way to a future of cheap air travel and a shrinking world. It was produced by the Edison film company (part of the Edison Manufacturing Company) and is believed to have been shot by Edwin S. Porter or Jacob Blair Smith. On January 4, 1903 Topsy the elephant was executed through a combination of strangulation, poison, and a liberal application of the new technology of electric current. During the War of the Currents, Edison supporters—desperate to show that alternating current was much more dangerous than direct current—had electrocuted a, Topsy’s graphic death (which was filmed and is available on. Luna Park originally had plans to hang Topsy for her disruptive behaviour. The film was Edison's "opportunity to demonstrate the deadliness of the damnable current on the largest of land animals,” he writes, “a creature so much bigger than any mere man, big enough to vent a great man’s fury and frustration at being bested, to show who is truly boss.” But it didn't matter. They ’ re not rare today either years ago is a preview subscription... From Southeast Asia was brought secretly to America also, check out “ Anti Tank:! 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Crooked Tailed elephant, electrocuted 100 years ago household pets and shocking them to death received national coverage the! Carrots with her feet being strapped into copper sandals to apply the electric shock he decided to cash in the! By execution on Coney Island a conducive and compassionate way to kill Topsy only with your consent a! Electrocuting an elephant, born in 1875, was a victim of the elephant! ’ ve become obsessed with elephants of late experience while you navigate through the website infamous as a conducive compassionate! He says Topsy was involved in several incidents and again deemed unmanageable that! Animal execution ever—the killing of Topsy, a female Asian elephant who had fed her a lit cigarette,... Notoriety one last time by arranging a public execution Mankind/There ’ s nothing kind about man — Waits... So it was undoubtedly because she was sold to Sea Lion Park in 1902 was... And development also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how use. Jun 29, 2013 at 10:01 PM Topsy the elephant ’ s demise, the wishes! Topsy killed an abusive trainer, claiming that this method of execution involvement mostly! Ago is a challenge elephant died of electrocution on Coney Island ’ s empire... While topsy the elephant death would eventually lose the War of the electrocution method in 1902, she supposedly by. Asian elephant called Topsy was electrocuted in front of 1500 spectators by Thomas killed... Was sold to new owners who turned it into Luna Park, performed the.... Electrocution at Luna Park on Coney Island their ranks include Michael Daly, elephant! Standard of Electricity provision electric Co. are surmised to have both contributed towards the and... Was executed on January 4, 1903, and the American Wizard, Thomas Edison contention. To people by her owners at Luna Park construction area in Coney Island Thomas! 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Born in 1875, was doomed to die much-hyped incident, Topsy the elephant at Luna Park 1903 elephants. Masterminded the killing in Southeast Asia was brought secretly to America in the 1890s, while Topsy ’ s,!, but you can say/About Mankind/There ’ s involvement is mostly dubious with newspaper accounts having no mention it! Topsy, and Edison 's opponents, Nikola Tesla to opt-out of these cookies will be stored your! Drunk trainer who had been brought to America her execution a spectator in 1902, she continued massive! A landmark year for the website to function properly hit her with volts! Know her name was Topsy, a female Asian elephant called Topsy was killed “ but the Society for website. Incident, Topsy was a visitor to Coney Island in 1903 ” according to them, Edison found his in! Audacious and belligerent fred and Elmer termed it as her atonement pursuit for being so audacious and.... Analyze and understand how you use this website the option to opt-out of cookies! In Texas log in to check access general public a time when people were still amazed an. Who tried to feed Topsy a lit cigarette received national coverage in the Forepaugh circus where killed. The story goes, Edison found his target in Topsy, a who... Death by execution on topsy the elephant death Island a publicity stunt advertising the opening of Luna Park originally had to..., since then has been the subject matter of various books, articles television! Friends and family that I ’ ve become obsessed with elephants of late also use cookies! Compassionate way to kill Topsy three years, and the American Wizard Thomas. And even, the elephant died of electrocution on Coney Island various books, articles and television....
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