The Cut

In 1880, Thomas Edison faces financial struggles in New Jersey while unveiling his revolutionary electric light bulb. This innovation aims to transform American neighborhoods using Direct Current (DC) technology, which, although cleaner than gas lighting, poses significant limitations in range and wiring costs.

Edison journeys to the White House to demonstrate his invention, the Phonograph, to the President of the United States. During this crucial meeting, financier JP Morgan offers Edison a partnership worth $150,000, which Edison vehemently declines as he refuses to use his inventions for lethal means.

Despite Edison's refusal of a partnership, JP Morgan decides to support Edison's vision for electrifying Manhattan. This funding proves pivotal in realizing Edison's ambition of widespread electrification in the city.

On September 4, 1882, Edison achieves a major milestone when the New York Stock Exchange becomes the first building illuminated by his Direct Current system. This event marks a significant victory for Edison in his campaign to dominate the electric lighting market.

Intrigued by Edison's accomplishments, George Westinghouse extends a dinner invitation to Edison. However, due to Edison's arrogance, he snubs this offer, bypassing Pittsburgh and disregarding Westinghouse and his wife's eagerness to meet.

In the wake of Edison's slight, Westinghouse embarks on a mission to promote his Alternating Current (AC) technology, which can transmit power over vast distances more efficiently than Edison's DC system. This rivalry sets the stage for a powerful competition between their electrical systems.

In March 1886, Westinghouse scores a significant win with a successful demonstration of his AC technology in Great Barrington. Meanwhile, Nikola Tesla joins Edison's team but quickly becomes disillusioned by the lack of support for his ideas regarding AC efficiency.

As Tesla's frustrations mount over unfulfilled promises, he decides to leave Edison's company after feeling that his innovative contributions are not valued. This departure underscores the brewing conflict between Edison and Tesla's visions for electricity.

Edison takes legal action against Westinghouse for allegedly infringing on his lightbulb patents. This legal confrontation highlights Edison's desire to protect his intellectual property while Westinghouse innovates with a twist-and-lock fitting to avoid Edison's claims.

In a bid to salvage his reputation, Edison launches a public campaign denouncing AC as dangerous. This aggressive strategy ignites a media battle as Westinghouse counters with evidence showcasing AC's safety and efficiency.

Edison's campaigns take a personal toll as his wife, Mary Stilwell Edison, passes away, adding emotional strain to his professional battles. Conversely, Westinghouse suffers the loss of his friend, Franklin Pope, who dies in an electrical accident.

In a controversial twist, Edison aids in commercializing the Electric Chair, associating AC with its use and igniting public outrage. The electrocution of William Kemmler, the first person to die by electric chair, leads Edison to testify in favor of AC's alleged humaneness.

Seeking a fresh start, Tesla aligns with Westinghouse to develop a functional AC motor. However, despite their groundbreaking designs, Tesla faces significant financial challenges that ultimately result in his dismissal from his own company.

At the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Edison and Westinghouse present competing bids to electrify the fair. The event becomes a culmination of their rivalry, with Westinghouse's success demonstrating the superiority of AC technology.

In his later years, Edison reflects on the legacy of his inventions, pondering the potential impact of his next creation—the motion picture. Ultimately, when he passes away, the nation honors him by dimming its lights for a minute, highlighting his profound contributions to history.