Topsy (elephant)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Topsy (born circa 1875, died January 4, 1903), was a domesticated elephant with the Forepaugh Circus at Coney Island's Luna Park. Due to her having killed three men in as many years (including an abusive trainer who attempted to feed her a lit cigarette), Topsy was deemed a threat to people by her owners and put down via electrocution on January 4, 1903.[1] Inventor Thomas Edison captured the event on film. He would release it later that year under the title, Electrocuting an Elephant.
An initial means of execution discussed was hanging. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals protested and other ways were considered. Edison then suggested electrocution, which was deemed more humane by the ASPCA.
To augment the execution, Topsy was fed carrots laced with 460 grams of potassium cyanide before 6,600 volts of electricity were sent coursing through her body. She was dead in well under a minute.[1] The event was witnessed by an estimated 1,500 people and Edison's film of the event was seen by audiences throughout the United States.
Luna Park burned down in a spectacular fire in 1944.[2]
On July 20, 2003, a memorial for Topsy was erected at the Coney Island Museum.
Contents |
[edit] Trivia
- Snippets from Edison's film were used by Nine Inch Nails in the music video part of the Closer VHS set.
- A portion of Edison's film was used in the 2006 movie Land of the Blind.
- A portion of Edison's film was used in the 1999 documentary about Fred A. Leuchter.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Bad elephant killed. Topsy meets quick and painless death at Coney Island," The Commercial Advertiser, New York, Jan. 5, 1903. retrieved Oct. 27, 2006
- ^ Ed Boland, jr., "FYI: An elephant's demise," New York Times, July 8, 2001, pg. CY2
[edit] See also
- List of historical elephants.
- Mighty Mary, hanged in Erwin, Tennessee, 1916.
- War of Currents.
- Thomas Edison
- Chunee, an elephant in the menagerie at Exeter Exchange, executed by soldiers from Somerset House in March 1826.
- Tyke, was a circus elephant who on August 20, 1994 in Honolulu, Hawaii, killed her trainer, Allen Campbell, and mauled her groom Dallas Beckwith causing severe injuries during a Circus International performance before hundreds of horrified spectators.
- Shooting an Elephant
[edit] External links
- Video: Electrocuting an Elephant shows the actual killing of Topsy (MPG format)
- Video: Electrocuting an Elephant Alternate link for video (streaming)
- Video: Electrocuting and Elephant Video presentation of above (streaming)
- Electrocuting an Elephant at the Internet Movie Database
- The Coney Island Museum, Brooklyn, NY
