Thanks, Jack! And yes, I agree. We tend to think of Edison in terms of his more "high-minded" pursuits that advanced industrial society and indeed he did. But he also chased the money as shamelessly as the tech giants of today do. Exploiting someone's misery to make $$$ probably didn't cause him to miss any sleep.
A great account of a wild story. The Edison twist is a harbinger of the burgeoning media and celebrity culture that would explode in the 20th century.
Thanks, Jack! And yes, I agree. We tend to think of Edison in terms of his more "high-minded" pursuits that advanced industrial society and indeed he did. But he also chased the money as shamelessly as the tech giants of today do. Exploiting someone's misery to make $$$ probably didn't cause him to miss any sleep.
What an interesting story.
Thanks, Denise. I think so, too. I really want to dig into the Baatz book when I have more time.
https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Velvet-Swing-Madness-Twentieth-ebook/dp/B072BV65JB/
I just found this 1953 book on amazon as well. Not loving the cover (the figure seems to be enjoying the swing far too much) but well, 1953.
https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Red-Velvet-Swing/dp/B0010V5MUQ/
book covers didn't always fit the appropriate subject with some covers back then.