How Edison Electrified the USA | The Men Who Built America (S1, E5) | Full Episode

George Westinghouse was one of the few TRULY decent business men, of the day. He treated his works VERY WELL, which was almost unheard of, back then.

The thief who stole from Tesla

Edison made static electricity famous, Nikola Tesla electrified the world.

In actuality, the world's entire electrical system runs on Nicola Tesla's Alternating Current, not on Edison's inferior Direct Current. It's also a historical fact that Edison was jealous of Tesla's genius, although Albert Einstein did give Tesla his due. When someone asked Einstein how it feels to be a genius, Einstein replied, "I don't know, you'll have to ask Tesla."

I’m glad to see through the comments that Tesla finally has the recognition he lacked in life.

Tesla was the ONE that worked with AC not Edison. The Planet was electrified by Nikola Tesla’s the true Genius.

Tesla is truly a genius man. Imagine Morgan would sit down and backed up Nikola as a chief engineer instead. Btw, the move of Nikola of giving up royalties was not financially smart, but truly a GIFT for mankind. And once again, the immigrants who help America move forward and place it on top of the Wolrd.

That is strange timing that JP’s dad would suffer an unfortunate “accident” at a time that was very crucial for his business plans.

Honestly this is video more about JP Morgan than Edison

Tesla was one of few in the industrial revolution who was more interested in serving the public than himself.

Why are you still spreading that lie? We should be thanking Nicola Tesla for so much more than just electricity!!!

Edison was very disingenuous to Tesla and backstabbing had been the common practice after Tesla did much of the labor on various private and government projects!

Tesla wanted to make electricity free for everyone, Edison only wanted profit.

This is a total lie! Edison did not power America, Westinghouse using Tesla's A/C generators did. They were partners because Tesla needed his company and he needed Tesla`s patents. Tesla later gave him full rights to the patents because Westinghouse was running low on money. Edison only wanted to use D/C generators. The distance on D/C were only a mile before needing a boost station. A/C doesn't have that limitation for the electricity generated doesn't travel the length of the wire. It bumps electrons off the other end. D/C it travels through the positive and returns on the negative losing energy due to resistance of the wire.

Tesla electrified America.

"Edison electrified the US"? Try WESTINGHOUSE because he had all the Tesla patents for AC electrical distribution. How ignorant...

I never knew about Tesla until my adult years. Fairfax County schools provide a good education, but I find it interesting that we never learned about him. Instead, we learned a lot about Edison and how it's thanks to him we have all of these things.

This is why I rather what a Documentary instead of a movie. Great watch & educational. Very well made! Thank you

It is quite amazing that these two men in the 1800s lite an entire fair without any glitches when most people can’t light their entire Christmas tree every year.

Edison didn't like the electricity that stands today. He toured around and executed animals with electrical current. Tesla was his competition. Tesla was the one who is credited with the 60 cycle per second grid. Edison helped J.P. Morgan push out Tesla. Edison wanted to use DC current but it was not feasible. You would have to build too many sub stations close together. AC current can travel longer distance.