CompuServe Messages

John: It's late, and I've still got some Christmas presents to wrap. But here's a taste. I am particularly interested in how often history repeats itself in the technology world. We continue to think we are having unique problems, when in fact they are common over the long haul. For example, we talk a lot about the format wars in the CDROM world: various computer-based formats vs tv-based formats. And wars among tv-based formats like CD-I, VIS, Photo-CD. Edison fought a "format" war for almost 20 years before he finally gave up. He felt the cylinder was the right mechanism and configuration for delivering pre-recorded sound. And then these johnny-come-lately French brothers named Victor came up with a disc that served the same function, but had a number of conveniences, including ease of storage and use. Edison sued, Edison screamed, and, in the end, Edison lost to a superior idea. Edison was incredible as a visualizer and conceptualizer, but he had blind spots, and a wicked temper. Do you recall the almost literal war (on the streets of New York) Edison fought with George Westinghouse over the contract to provide electrical power to the city? Edison fought for direct current, Westinghouse for alternating current. Edison assured the city fathers that alternating current would burn down the city, cause health problems, everything in the book. But in the end he lost because, while he had the right idea, he would not adjust to superior execution. (The dynamics of Tesla in this mix are equally fascinating. Did Marconi really rip off wireless telegraphy?) {continued in reply}