A Troubled Start
Topsy, an Asian elephant, was brought to the U.S. in the 1870s as part of the Forepaugh Circus. Initially a star attraction, she became infamous after incidents involving her handlers. Reports suggested she had killed a man who fed her a lit cigarette, though the accuracy of these claims remains disputed.
A Controversial Solution
By 1902, Topsy’s behavior led her owners at Coney Island’s Luna Park to deem her dangerous. They decided to euthanize her, initially considering hanging. Outrage from animal rights groups led to a change in plans. The method chosen was electrocution, intended to demonstrate the dangers of alternating current (AC) electricity.
The Event
On January 4, 1903, before a crowd of spectators, Topsy was fed poisoned carrots and then subjected to a 6,600-volt AC current. The event, orchestrated by Edison Electric Company, was also captured on film, titled Electrocuting an Elephant.
Topsy, an elephant with a turbulent history, became the center of a chilling spectacle in 1903. Known for her strength and unpredictable behavior, her tragic fate would intertwine with a groundbreaking yet grim moment in technological history that stunned onlookers worldwide.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/50iMFSjnTv
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 5, 2025