1-156-307 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Artist's impression of execution by electric chair, 1890. After experiments on animals to ensure the practicability of electrocution as method of execution, the first execution was carried out at Auburn Prison, New York, 6 August 1890 using a Westinghouse AC system. The man executed was William Kemmler, convicted of murdering his common-law wife. Three surges were necessary to kill him. From Scientific American. ( New York, 30 June 1888).