Topsy (elephant)

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An image from Thomas Edison's film, Electrocuting an Elephant, 1903
An image from Thomas Edison's film, Electrocuting an Elephant, 1903

Topsy (born circa 1875, died January 4, 1903), was a domesticated elephant with the Forepaugh Circus at Coney Island's Luna Park. Because she had killed three men in as many years (including an abusive trainer who attempted to feed her a lit cigarette),[1] Topsy was deemed a threat to people by her owners and put down by electrocution on January 4, 1903.[2] Inventor Thomas Edison captured the event on film. He would release it later that year under the title Electrocuting an Elephant.

A means of execution initially discussed was hanging. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals protested and other ways were considered. Edison then suggested electrocution with alternating current, which had been used for the execution of humans since 1890.

To reinforce the execution, Topsy was fed carrots laced with 460 grams of potassium cyanide before the deadly current from a 6,600-volt AC source was sent coursing through her body. She was dead in seconds.[2] 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.

On July 20, 2003, a memorial for Topsy was erected at the Coney Island Museum.

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[edit] Usage in popular works of art

Electrocuting an Elephant, 1903
Electrocuting an Elephant, 1903

Portions of Edison's film Electrocuting an Elephant appear in many popular works of art.

  • Snippets from Edison's film were used in 1979 movie Mr. Mike's Mondo Video
  • Snippets from Edison's film were used by Nine Inch Nails in the music video part of the 1997 Closure VHS set.
  • A portion of Edison's film was used in the 1998 documentary about horror films Kingdom of Shadows.
  • A portion of Edison's film was used in the 1999 documentary about Fred A. Leuchter.
  • Snippets from "Electrocuting an Elephant" were used in the 2000 movie Hamlet.
  • A portion of Edison's film was used in the 2006 movie Land of the Blind.

A music video dedicated to and based on the life of Topsy was made for the song Persist by All India Radio.

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