Westinghouse is a feature-length documentary about the life and times of George Westinghouse his companies legacy personality partnership with Nikola Telsa and conflict with Thomas Edison.George Westinghouse is considered ... more »America's greatest industrialist and the only man who would go up against Thomas Edison and win. His victory over Edison during the Battle of the Currents set the stage for the entire future of electric power. The Westinghouse air brake is considered one of the most important inventions in history. Automobile shock absorbers, railroad signaling and the modern day weekend all owe their existence to the man who Andrew Carnegie called 'A genius who can t be downed.' Westinghouse may be most famous for the massive companies that he created but the man called Uncle George was a reserved creative giant who went out of his way to treat his workforce with dignity and respect. He was an honest millionaire in the days of robber barons an optimist in the days of skeptics and a generous CEO from whom today's executives can learn. The film includes interviews with the following:
Edward J. Reis executive director George Westinghouse Museum (1998-2007)
William H. Terbo grandnephew of visionary genius Nikola Tesla
Quentin R. Skrabec Jr. PhD author George Westinghouse: Gentle Genius« less
"I rushed to order a copy of "Westinghouse" for my father after I reviewed it for a magazine published by the director's alma mater. My dad is a real challenge when it comes to gifts or trying to entertain him. He may not have gone to the office since retiring 22 years ago, but he will always be an industrial engineer--not a sportsman, not a golfer, not a tinkerer around the house--an industrial strength engineer and if there was ever a hero for that kind of soul, it is George Westinghouse.
You need not be an octogenarian authority on warehouse palletization to enjoy this documentary that profiles America's most prolific inventor and industrialist who was gifted with good business sense and a generous heart. It is accessibly crafted to hold general interest for anyone. The producers and director have assembled extraordinary images and facts about the man whose career began during the Civil War before he was even twenty and carried America into the 20th century. The documentary looks at the larger landscapes of the railroad and rise of factories and peers into the American home as all were revolutionized by Westinghouse's vision. Those who enjoy the history of World's Fairs and expositions will be gratified by footage from several of them. Westinghouse is an American hero on many counts, not the least that he was a generous employer who inspired an unparalleled depth of worker loyalty in an era when union violence was the norm elsewhere. It is to the credit of the makers of the documentary that they let the historical facts and images show the greatness; they do not overdress it with a boastful or maudlin narrative.
This runs nearly 2 hours and never bogs down. Additionally, there are interviews and other historical perspectives available in the extra features.
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Must see documentary
Wayne P. Pursh | 10/09/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am from Pittsburgh and I thought I knew something about George Westinghouse. After seeing this video I admit I knew very little about this man. If you want insight into the industrialization of this country, this video is a must see. And, if you are from Western PA or at least an American, you are missing an important history lesson in this documentary.I can't say enough about how George Westinghouse should have been the role model for all generations of businessmen, industrialists, and flat out human beings in general. Watch it and you will be inspired.
WP Pittsburgh"
Good documentary
ken | las vegas, nv United States | 11/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Very well done and lots of information that I have never known on Westinghouse. Very little mention of Tesla. This it a good video and worth the money and time to watch. First quality production and not home brewed."
Westinghouse - Unacknowledged genius and humanitarian.
D. Hampton | 05/10/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Airbrakes, AC power/with Tesla, Westinghouse took care of his workers.
The person who started the model of what would later become "the weedend".
The entire family really enjoyed learning about the unsung genius of Westinghouse."
Story of a true Hero
Nicholas J. Wion | 09/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A model for what businessmen should be, and the other characters like Edison and Morgan, what businessmen really are."