Why Did Edison and Westinghouse Advocate Different Electricity Systems?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the reasons behind each party's method for generating electricity during the War of Currents. These reasons include commercial advantage, greed, pride, and the human condition. Additionally, Edison and Westinghouse had different approaches, with Edison favoring small generating stations and Westinghouse utilizing Tesla's ideas for larger systems with lower costs and line-losses. Further information can be found in the Wikipedia article on the War of Currents.
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chopstick
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when a question is asking for reasons (except technological advantage) why each party held firmly to their own method for generating electricity, what should i consider of , and where can i find those reasons?
 
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thank you!
 
  • #4
Edison was thinking of LOTS of small generating stations powering small systems. Westinghouse (thanks to Tesla) was thinking much bigger. You can extend AC systems over very long distances with smaller conductors and reduce the cost of the distribution network and reduce line-losses.
 

Related to Why Did Edison and Westinghouse Advocate Different Electricity Systems?

1. What was the main difference between Edison and Westinghouse?

The main difference between Edison and Westinghouse was their approach to electricity. Edison believed in using direct current (DC) while Westinghouse favored alternating current (AC).

2. Who was more successful, Edison or Westinghouse?

In terms of financial success, Westinghouse was more successful due to his partnership with Nikola Tesla and the use of AC electricity in power grids. However, Edison was more successful in terms of patents and inventions.

3. How did the rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse impact the development of electricity?

The rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse had a significant impact on the development of electricity. It led to the "War of Currents" where they both tried to discredit each other's technology. This competition ultimately led to the widespread adoption of AC electricity.

4. Did Edison and Westinghouse ever work together?

Yes, Edison and Westinghouse did work together briefly when Westinghouse purchased Edison's patents for AC generators. However, their partnership ended when Edison refused to collaborate with Westinghouse's engineer, Nikola Tesla.

5. Who ultimately won the "War of Currents" between Edison and Westinghouse?

While Edison initially had the upper hand in the "War of Currents," Westinghouse ultimately won due to the superiority of AC technology and his partnership with Tesla. AC electricity became the standard for power grids, and Westinghouse's company was eventually bought out by General Electric, which was founded by Edison.

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