Electric chair - to whom and for what?

The electric chair is the most vivid in every sense representative of the known methods of execution in the history of mankind. Today, the electric chair is an informal symbol of the United States and, in particular, the legislative process. So, what, where, by whom and for what?

The invention of an electric chair

It's funny, but "merit" in the invention of an electric chair belongs to ... a dentist! If GreenPeace had already started its work at that time, then this method of execution would hardly have come to us - the inventor Albert Southwick used during the development of animals as a material for experiments.

However, this method of execution is considered humane - the sentenced person does not suffer, and death occurs virtually instantaneously. As a result, on the first day of 1889, electrocution was the main method of execution (New York became the first state). On the same day, the first execution was carried out.

Mechanism of action

How did the electric chair of that time act? Actually, the design is simple - a chair to which several electrodes and several straps are attached. The perpetrator was put on him, consistently fixed his whole body - from the ankles to the breast. After this, two copper electrodes were attached to the body. Places for fastening - the foot and the crown. As a rule, the skin at the place of contact with the electrode was shaved to improve conductivity.

Electrodes were lubricated with a special substance to improve current carrying and minimize skin damage. The face of the criminal was wearing an opaque mask - this was done so that the convicted person did not bite his tongue.

The first execution

The next question is: to whom? The electric chair was first "tested" by a murderer named Kemmsler. Alas, he could not comment on the operation of the device for objective reasons, but an interesting fact: after the first discharge, about 20 seconds long, he was still alive! The executioners had to increase the current and duration, which led to the convict's tortures and subsequent convictions of the method in the print media.

Difficulties and disadvantages

Alas, often this "humane" procedure turned into a real torture for the condemned. Negligence in the preparation of the suicide bomber, a short circuit in the electricity supply system, instability of energy supply repeatedly led to terrible torment of the convict. There are cases when the suicide bomber literally burned alive. As an illustrative example, you can bring the movie "Green Mile". In it a very interesting way shows execution through an electric chair. In particular, interest is caused by a rigged execution, during which a person literally "burned down alive."

Today

The electric chair is still used. In the system of punitive organs there is a kind of competition between execution through a lethal injection and through an electric chair, and the injection gradually comes forward - low cost, no torment, and reliability. The disadvantages of the electric chair are the complexity of operation, the specifics of the preparation of the sentenced and the cost of the procedure.