100 Mind-Blowing Execution Facts

Since the death penalty was restored in 1976, the states of Washington and New Hampshire have returned to hanging as an available method of execution.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. In more shocking fun facts (perhaps literally): Alfred Southwick was a dentist who conceptualized electrical execution when he heard of an intoxicated man who died from touching a live electric generator. Realizing the man’s quick death, Southwick concluded that electricity could be an alternative to hanging for executions. However, he first intended for electrocution to euthanize stray dogs.

A pig was once held in trial for the death of a child. During the Middle Ages, it was normal for animals to be tried for human crimes. In 1386, a pig was even arrested for injuring a child. When the child died, the pig was placed on trial which ruled the pig’s public execution.

A dentist invented the electric chair. In 1881 a dentist witnessed a man quickly die in a chair after touching an electric generator. After this experience, he soon realized that using electricity could be a more humane way of execution.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. Southwick. A steam-boat engineer, inventor and dentist from Buffalo, New York was credited for inventing the electric chair as a method of legal execution.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. Alfred Porter Southwick was a dentist and steamboat engineer who is credited with inventing the electric chair as a method of legal execution.

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