In 1881, the state of New York established a committee to determine a new, more humane method of execution to replace hanging. Alfred Southwick, a member of the committee, developed the idea of running electric current through a condemned man after hearing a case of how relatively painlessly and quickly a drunk man died due to touching exposed power lines. The first electric chair was produced by Harold P. Brown and Arthur Kennelly.
First Design for Electric Chair, 1890
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