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Topsy (elephant)

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Electrocuting an Elephant, 1903.

Topsy (born circa 1875), was a circus elephant killed by electrocution on January 4, 1903.

Life

Topsy belonged to the Forepaugh Circus and spent the last years of her life at Coney Island's Luna Park. Because she had killed three men in as many years (including a severely abusive trainer who attempted to feed her a lit cigarette),[1] Topsy was deemed a threat to people by her owners and killed by electrocution on January 4, 1903, at the age of 28.[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.[3]

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. [4]

When Luna Park burned down in 1944, the fire was referred to as "Topsy's Revenge".[citation needed]

On July 20, 2003, a memorial for Topsy was erected at the Coney Island Museum.[5]

Portions of Edison's film Electrocuting an Elephant have appeared in many works of art such as:

Other media

A song called "Coney Island Funeral" recorded by the history band Pinataland for their EP Songs from Konijn Kok tells the tale of Topsy.

Topsy's electrocution is included in Christopher Bram's novel The Notorious Dr. August, Kevin Baker's novel Dreamland, and Nick Arvin's collection of stories, In the Electric Eden.

Topsy was cited by Sara Gruen, author of the 2007 book Water for Elephants, as part of her inspiration for the fictional circus elephant Rosie.

On the sophomore release Keep in Mind Frankenstein by Seattle indie-rock band Grand Archives, the album opener entitled "Topsy's Revenge" is inspired by the event.

Topsy is a character in Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon's poem "Plan B" from his September, 2010 book Maggot. Topsy was also the subject of W.S. Merwin's poem, "The Chain to Her Leg," published in the December 13, 2010 issue of The New Yorker.

This event is referenced in the Sarah Ruhl play In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play).

See also

References

  1. ^ "Series E, Episode 2". QI. Season E. Episode 2. 2007-09-21.
  2. ^ a b "Bad elephant killed. Topsy meets quick and painless death at Coney Island," The Commercial Advertiser, New York, Jan. 5, 1903. retrieved October 27, 2006
  3. ^ McNichol, Tom (2006). AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War. USA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN 0787982679.
  4. ^ McNichol, Tom (2006). AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War. USA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN 0787982679.
  5. ^ Arssubterranea.org
  6. ^ Youtube.com
  7. ^ GSEart.com
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