In the late 19th century, Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse were locked in a fierce competition to determine which of their electrical systems would become the standard for the United States. Edison championed direct current (DC), while Westinghouse advocated for alternating current (AC). AC had several advantages over DC, including the ability to be transmitted over long distances without losing power. Despite this, Edison fiercely opposed AC, even going so far as to spread misinformation about its safety. He famously electrocuted animals in public demonstrations and lobbied lawmakers to pass laws against the use of AC power.
Ultimately, it was Westinghouse's AC system that prevailed and became the standard for power transmission and distribution in the United States and much of the world. Edison's obstinate resistance to AC and his willingness to employ underhanded tactics in the competition with Westinghouse earned him the reputation of a ruthless and unscrupulous businessman.