Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Fan Photo of Classic Comic
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Children's Magazine
Monday, March 24, 2014
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Saturday, March 22, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
Mean Mr. Edison
10 Ways Edison Treated Tesla Like a Jerk
Thomas Edison has over a thousand patents in his name. Some of them
are even based on his own ideas. But more often than not, he was
working off another great innovator’s findings, and tinkering until he
produced something that could make a buck or two. He is often praised
for having invented a number of household items we take for granted,
and couldn’t live without. But considerably less credit is actually give
to the genius scientists and inventors who worked under his employ to
make him rich (and a household name). One of those men is Nikola Tesla,
who got an incredibly short end of the stick, and whose brilliance often
goes unacknowledged and under-praised beneath Edison’s blinding
overcast. Here are ten ways in which Edison was a real jerk to Tesla.
are even based on his own ideas. But more often than not, he was
working off another great innovator’s findings, and tinkering until he
produced something that could make a buck or two. He is often praised
for having invented a number of household items we take for granted,
and couldn’t live without. But considerably less credit is actually give
to the genius scientists and inventors who worked under his employ to
make him rich (and a household name). One of those men is Nikola Tesla,
who got an incredibly short end of the stick, and whose brilliance often
goes unacknowledged and under-praised beneath Edison’s blinding
overcast. Here are ten ways in which Edison was a real jerk to Tesla.
10
Disrespectful
Towards the end of Edison’s life, he was quoted as saying he wished he
respected Tesla and his work more than he had. Too bad, at that point the
damage had been done; Tesla died broke and lonely, while Edison died
wealthy and with great self-esteem. While they had worked together
Edison had often called his ideas "impractical" or mocked them (if he
wasn't plain threatened by them). It seemed Edison knew that he had
this brilliant young mind under his thumb from the moment he came to
America to work for him. (At that point he already had a few patents in
his name, for devices that operated by rotating magnetic fields.)
respected Tesla and his work more than he had. Too bad, at that point the
damage had been done; Tesla died broke and lonely, while Edison died
wealthy and with great self-esteem. While they had worked together
Edison had often called his ideas "impractical" or mocked them (if he
wasn't plain threatened by them). It seemed Edison knew that he had
this brilliant young mind under his thumb from the moment he came to
America to work for him. (At that point he already had a few patents in
his name, for devices that operated by rotating magnetic fields.)
9
Driven by Greed
Tesla once criticized Edison by saying in a New York Times interview, “He had
a veritable contempt for book learning and mathematical knowledge, trusting
himself entirely to his inventor’s instinct and practical American sense.”
Wheras Tesla was an impassioned engineer who seemed to be utterly fascin-
ated by the technical aspects of his work. He had a photographic memory, could
memorize entire books, and used to have literal flashes of genius where he’d
conceive the solution to a problem, or visualize the detailed schematics of a
device he’d yet to invent. Edison insisted on developing (or replicating and
patenting) devices that had some practical utility (something that could make
him money), never just science for purely science.
a veritable contempt for book learning and mathematical knowledge, trusting
himself entirely to his inventor’s instinct and practical American sense.”
Wheras Tesla was an impassioned engineer who seemed to be utterly fascin-
ated by the technical aspects of his work. He had a photographic memory, could
memorize entire books, and used to have literal flashes of genius where he’d
conceive the solution to a problem, or visualize the detailed schematics of a
device he’d yet to invent. Edison insisted on developing (or replicating and
patenting) devices that had some practical utility (something that could make
him money), never just science for purely science.
8
Mocked Tesla’s Line of Thinking
Not only did he call some of Tesla’s brilliant ideas impractical, or have
potential inventions of his shut down, he just didn’t seem to value Tesla’s
mind. Tesla, who worked late into the night, remained celibate until his
death at 86, was an eccentric and often obsessed over his work. Edison,
however, was more socially functional (well, he had a 16-year-old wife,
if that counts as proof), and didn’t take Tesla often highly esoteric
comments entirely seriously.
potential inventions of his shut down, he just didn’t seem to value Tesla’s
mind. Tesla, who worked late into the night, remained celibate until his
death at 86, was an eccentric and often obsessed over his work. Edison,
however, was more socially functional (well, he had a 16-year-old wife,
if that counts as proof), and didn’t take Tesla often highly esoteric
comments entirely seriously.
7
Took Credit for the Fluoroscope
The fluoroscope – a device for producing X-ray images – is something
Tesla had been working on prior to Edison’s pig-headed dabbling. In
the process, Edison managed to give his assistant terminal cancer
(who had to have his arms removed before he ultimately died),
and he almost blinded himself. But he sure got that patent all right.
Tesla had been working on prior to Edison’s pig-headed dabbling. In
the process, Edison managed to give his assistant terminal cancer
(who had to have his arms removed before he ultimately died),
and he almost blinded himself. But he sure got that patent all right.
6
Wouldn’t Pay Up
Edison backed out of paying Tesla $50,000 to fix his DC motor – which
Tesla did with great ease. He managed to turn an inefficient device into
something incredibly efficient that saved Edison all sorts of money (well
more than he agreed to pay Tesla). All he said was that Tesla failed to
“understand the American sense of humor” (Tesla was a Serbian im-
migrant). More like he failed to realize how much of a stingy two-timer
Edison was. Edison offered to up his pay from $18 a week to all of $25.
Tesla, not a moment too soon (but far too many too late), resigned.
Thereafter he wound up digging ditches, before starting his own
company and accepting investments to do some experiments in
his own right.
Tesla did with great ease. He managed to turn an inefficient device into
something incredibly efficient that saved Edison all sorts of money (well
more than he agreed to pay Tesla). All he said was that Tesla failed to
“understand the American sense of humor” (Tesla was a Serbian im-
migrant). More like he failed to realize how much of a stingy two-timer
Edison was. Edison offered to up his pay from $18 a week to all of $25.
Tesla, not a moment too soon (but far too many too late), resigned.
Thereafter he wound up digging ditches, before starting his own
company and accepting investments to do some experiments in
his own right.
5
Meddling Fool
Edison has a Medal Named After Him, Which Tesla Was Awarded.
The Edison Medal is presented yearly by a group called IEEE, or
the “Institute of Electrical Engineers” (a group of Edison’s friends)
It is an outright slap in the face that Edison’s name is paraded by
an award in the field (one he is not truly a part of) of which Tesla is
an exceptional, shining example. A greater slap in the face still was
when Tesla was awarded the Medal in 1916.
The Edison Medal is presented yearly by a group called IEEE, or
the “Institute of Electrical Engineers” (a group of Edison’s friends)
It is an outright slap in the face that Edison’s name is paraded by
an award in the field (one he is not truly a part of) of which Tesla is
an exceptional, shining example. A greater slap in the face still was
when Tesla was awarded the Medal in 1916.
4
Early Radar Technology Laughed Off
If Edison hadn’t deemed one of Tesla’s most crucial radio wave-base
innovations to be “impractical” back during World War I– when he first
proposed plans for such–countless lives could have been saved for
having the advantage of being able to detect enemy submarines. Of
course it would be actualized until decades later. But just to think of
what damage Edison’s ego-driven meddling has cost time and again
is infuriating.
innovations to be “impractical” back during World War I– when he first
proposed plans for such–countless lives could have been saved for
having the advantage of being able to detect enemy submarines. Of
course it would be actualized until decades later. But just to think of
what damage Edison’s ego-driven meddling has cost time and again
is infuriating.
3
Fought against Tesla’s AC Power
Simply put Edison (with a few other moguls on his side) didn’t want to see
Tesla’s Alternate Current succeed, because it posed a (fiscal) threat to the
viability of his Direct Current (which Tesla had previously souped up for
him). A bitter public battle took place, with George Westinghouse of the
Westinghouse Company on Tesla’s side. Edison sought to use spineless
scare tactics to convince the public his AC units weren’t safe. In order to
“prove” this “fact,” he had a number of animals electrocuted, including a
circus elephant (which was to be put to death for killing a some people).
Ultimately, Tesla won this “War of Currents,” only because he indeed had
the better power mechanism. Although the current of success swept into a
place of high regard, he forewent obscene wealth so as to–in a show of
unprecedented humility–save the Westinghouse Company (which would
have gone broke with the royalty payments). Instead, Tesla made a few
grand by just selling his patents outright. To view the full infographic
above, go here.
Tesla’s Alternate Current succeed, because it posed a (fiscal) threat to the
viability of his Direct Current (which Tesla had previously souped up for
him). A bitter public battle took place, with George Westinghouse of the
Westinghouse Company on Tesla’s side. Edison sought to use spineless
scare tactics to convince the public his AC units weren’t safe. In order to
“prove” this “fact,” he had a number of animals electrocuted, including a
circus elephant (which was to be put to death for killing a some people).
Ultimately, Tesla won this “War of Currents,” only because he indeed had
the better power mechanism. Although the current of success swept into a
place of high regard, he forewent obscene wealth so as to–in a show of
unprecedented humility–save the Westinghouse Company (which would
have gone broke with the royalty payments). Instead, Tesla made a few
grand by just selling his patents outright. To view the full infographic
above, go here.
2
Killed a Man to Prove Tesla Wrong
Edison was known for his intimidation tactics (e.g. he used to hire a bunch
of goons to smash technology and make sure he got his dues for his
patents), but never did it get so bad as with his campaign against Tesla;
he went so far as to invent the electric chair, using Tesla’s AC power to
have a man on death row executed. The event was gruesome and messy,
drawn out. George Westinghouse was quoted to have said, “They would
have done better using an axe.” And so the first execution by electric chair
took place, just to prove Tesla wrong (and preserve Edison’s financial
stakes).
of goons to smash technology and make sure he got his dues for his
patents), but never did it get so bad as with his campaign against Tesla;
he went so far as to invent the electric chair, using Tesla’s AC power to
have a man on death row executed. The event was gruesome and messy,
drawn out. George Westinghouse was quoted to have said, “They would
have done better using an axe.” And so the first execution by electric chair
took place, just to prove Tesla wrong (and preserve Edison’s financial
stakes).
1
Shared Virtually None of His Wealth
Edison was a wealthy man, and always finding new ways to get
wealthier. That meant rushing his crude discoveries and unoriginal
devices to the patent office to secure his royalties. While Tesla was
largely a one man technology-synthesizer, Edison had buildings
stocked with brilliant engineers and scientists who did all his bidding,
while he took the lion’s share of the revenue for himself. Tesla just
happened to be one more sucker to get trapped in his greenhouse
of genius, where all he need ask for is a few drops of water and sun-
light to churn out unrelenting yields.
wealthier. That meant rushing his crude discoveries and unoriginal
devices to the patent office to secure his royalties. While Tesla was
largely a one man technology-synthesizer, Edison had buildings
stocked with brilliant engineers and scientists who did all his bidding,
while he took the lion’s share of the revenue for himself. Tesla just
happened to be one more sucker to get trapped in his greenhouse
of genius, where all he need ask for is a few drops of water and sun-
light to churn out unrelenting yields.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Sam Sosen's Selfie at the Suez Canal
Thanks for sending the photo via Instagram, Sam!
Arminian Antics #126
Just a reminder...the best way to view Sola Bootstrapa (Arminian Antics) is to right click and open link in new window using the provided magnifying glass...
Friday, March 14, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Fan Photo from Flavin Fluflafee
Benny Finney's New Film
Nigel actually agreed to be shrunken to the size of a stinkbug for the film. The shrink-ray bazooka was invented by Finney's favorite inventor, Nukola Tisla, who for some reason can't be found for comment.
Benny claims this film will win more than six Christian Film awards and will be the catalyst for a coup against the "new breed and the old breed of Calvinists in my blessed homeland."
Elvis Wesley will not only do the soundtrack, but will play several different roles in the film. Mr. Finney will do a cameo appearance as a mad clown in a house of mirrors.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
FREE Book! Enough!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Spend Some Time with a FREE book!
Written by an L. A. County homicide detective and former atheist, Cold-Case Christianity examines the claims of the New Testament using the skills and strategies of a hard-to-convince criminal investigator.
Christianity could be defined as a “cold case”: it makes a claim about an event from the distant past for which there is little forensic evidence. In Cold-Case Christianity, J. Warner Wallace uses his nationally recognized skills as a homicide detective to look at the evidence and eyewitnesses behind Christian beliefs. Including gripping stories from his career and the visual techniques he developed in the courtroom, Wallace uses illustration to examine the powerful evidence that validates the claims of Christianity.
A unique apologetic that speaks to readers’ intense interest in detective stories, Cold-Case Christianity inspires readers to have confidence in Christ as it prepares them to articulate the case for Christianity.
It would be a crime not to get this book!
Badge of Honor
If you want to be a member of the CIA (Calvinists in Action)
then post this badge on your site and list your blog below.
Just for Laughs #291
Drive home a funny caption - about the above scene.
Write it so it has some kind of theological theme.
