The Robertson Jan. 2012 | Page 3

Direct Current of Electricity: Why is it better?

Anne Christian Robertson

Thomas Edison’s invention of Direct Current of electricity, invented in 1879, is shown to be safer and more comfortable for people across America. Edison’s competitor, Nikola Tesla, introduced alternating currents. Why is Edison’s light bulb better? Tesla’s is point blank deadly. If you were to use the electricity in an improper way, such as putting a light bulb in water, direct current tends to cause only one muscle contraction to the body, which is usually strong enough to push a person away, unharmed, while alternating current causes an ongoing muscle contraction, which disallows the human to let go and eventually stops the person from breathing, leading to serious injury or death. On January 4, 1903, with the flip of one switch, Topsy the elephant was killed using alternating currents. If this form of electricity could kill a humongous elephant in seconds, imagine what could happen to a child, woman, or even a grown man!

Even after hearing about these dangers, many Americans still believe that alternating currents in light bulbs are better because after about a mile out from one of the Direct Current power plants, the electricity power starts to die out, while in an Alternating Current power plant, it doubles that. That would mean that more power plants of Direct Current would have to be placed than those of Alternating Current. But the direct current power plants are considerably smaller, meaning they could be placed in a plethora of places at a lower cost. Think about how much safer and more efficient direct current is. If Alternating Current, becomes supreme, everyday you’d be living in fear of being electrocuted by these demons in the form of electricity. Using these light bulbs could risk the lives of each and every person living in America.

The simple solution to the dangers of alternating current electricity is using Direct Current. It will keep everyone safe from electric shock. It has many efficiency pluses and the power plants are smaller than those of the direct current. So, think about this, are you okay with living with a deadly weapon, or do you want to go the safer route?