Last Podcast On The Left

Episode 654: Topsy the Elephant

February 27, 2026·1h 26m·6-min readconversationalcomedy
Podzilla Summary (6 min)
TLDR
The Last Podcast on the Left dives into the dark, violent, and often absurd history of elephants, from rogue beasts to state-sanctioned executioners, climaxing with the tragic public electrocution of Topsy the elephant in 1903.


THE CONVERSATION

Marcus Parks, Henry Zabrowski, and Ed

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Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Marcus ParksHenry ZabrowskiEd LarsonTopsyThomas EdisonMurderous MaryJahangirCarl Hagenbeck

Companies

Edison Illuminating Company

Research & Papers

Electrocuting an Elephant

Topics

Criminal Justice ReformHistorical FiguresHistory Of ScienceTrue Crime

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