[lug] Did Linus really not write Linux?

[Nate Duehr]

Charlie Rose wrote:

> At 2004-05-25:17:32, you wrote:
>
>> All I could think about while reading this thread was that I've 
>> plugged in a toaster oven or two in my time that didn't have any 
>> labels thanking Edison for his work on AC power.  Of course, when we 
>> really deeply review history we find that Edison was building a 
>> monopoly -- similar to a certain company we all have come to love to 
>> hate.
>
>
> Nate .... I'm with you about keeping in mind the legacy of benefits 
> we've inherited from those who have gone before. For instance, I 
> always celebrate Isaac Newton's birthday on December 25th because he 
> was one of the greatest contributors. Just one comment about Edison, 
> however ... he /wasn't/ interested in AC power. That was developed, 
> essentially from scratch, by Nicola Tesla, and further pushed by 
> Westinghouse. Edison was anti-AC, hot for DC, and used to electrocute 
> dogs in Central Park (I think it was) using high-voltage AC to 
> demonstrate to onlookers (potential customers) the dangers of that 
> form of power. He was careful, naturally, not to fry any dogs using DC.
>
> Both Edison and Tesla created some wonderful things. Edison pulled 
> some shady tricks on Tesla, and Tesla was brilliant and absolute nuts!

Ahhh... yes, I goofed my AC and DC history there in that post.  I think 
I still got the idea across, but what a flub! 

Hah... oh well.

Nate