Men Who Built America: Episode 5

Andrew Carnegie returned to Pittsburgh to rebelling workers and an injured chairman.  Who did Carnegie blame for these problems?

• Himself

• The Workers

• Henry Frick

• The Pinkertons

J.P. Morgan wanted to be a big capitalist like Rockefeller or Carnegie, but he needed to invest in a new idea.  What idea did he find?

• Electricity, electric light

• Hedge Funds

• Bank Accounts

• ATMS

The elite all wanted electrified homes – except Rockefeller.  Why did Rockefeller fear electricity?

• He sold oil and recognized that electricity could replace it – causing his business to fail.

• Like most people he thought it was dangerous

• It was against his religion

• He felt that lights would keep people up later which would lead to more alcohol consumption

Nikola Tesla wanted the higher voltage alternating current (A.C.) to be the standard.  Why was Edison unwilling to listen to Tesla’s ideas?

• Edison worried that A.C. was too dangerous.

  Tesla was his junior employee, so he thought his ideas were beneath him.

• He didn't like Tesla

• He didn't think Tesla was very smart

• Edison worried that D.C. was too dangerous.

  Tesla was his employee, so he thought his Tesla shouldn't question his methods