Topsy was a famous circus elephant who lived in the early 20th century. She was known for her performances in Coney Island and was involved in a controversial incident in 1903 when she was electrocuted as part of an attempt to put her down after she killed a trainer. This event sparked significant outrage and highlighted issues surrounding animal treatment in entertainment. Topsy's story is often cited in discussions about animal rights and ethical treatment of circus animals.
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About Topsy
How Does Topsy died?
On this day in 1903, Topsy the elephant died of electrocution on Coney Island. Many believe Topsy was a victim of the so-called War of the Currents, the battle between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison over alternating and direct current. “Captured on film by Thomas Edison, the event was one of a string of animal electrocutions Edison staged to discredit a new form of electricity: alternating current,” writes Tony Long for Wired.
Synopsis
The 74-second film opens with Topsy being led past a crowd of people through an unfinished Luna Park to the execution spot, an island in the middle of a "lagoon" used for boat-rides, by elephant handler Carl Goliath.
Background
This film documents the publicly announced killing of Topsy the elephant at the unfinished Luna Park on Coney Island, New York City on January 4, 1903. The elephant had recently been acquired from Forepaugh Circus, where she had a reputation as a "bad" elephant, having killed a drunken spectator the previous year who burnt the tip of her trunk with a lit cigar.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TOPSY
A series of exclusive links where holders can read about the great TOPSY.
