Comments on Dr. Syntax: Charles Dickens: Get Your Cotton Pickin' Hands Off...

Michael: he did seem to call him "Horse,"...

2010-01-24T17:26:09.725-05:00

Michael: he did seem to call him "Horse," didn't he?

D. Antone, thanks for your comment. As for Tesla and Edison, their relationship was complex and murky, and Tesla certainly got a raw deal. However, Tesla is one of those figures who has attracted rabid partisans and conspiracy theorists, and there's a good deal of misinformation about him abroad, especially on the web.

If you'll pardon me for plugging my own product, I'd recommend Maury Klein's excellent and highly readable history of the early years of electricity, THE POWER MAKERS, which recounts the whole turbulent era of Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and many others. It certainly makes clear that with respect to intellectual property, the electric business made the book business look tame. Edison and his competitors were constantly suing each other for patent infringements.

Peter, that is easily the best reading I have done...

2010-01-23T22:39:10.385-05:00

Peter, that is easily the best reading I have done today. I am a huge fan of Dickens, and it is always a pleasure to learn more about him. Thank you for such an informative post.

On topic, I seem to be coming across a lot of historical information like this. I spent some time today reading about Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. Shocking information.

"Come, Horse! There's work to be done!&qu...

2010-01-23T20:32:49.265-05:00

"Come, Horse! There's work to be done!" I shall record that as my alarm-message.