Otis Singleton
The electric chair is a device used for capital punishment through electrocution. The first electric chair was built in 1887 for New York's Sing Sing Prison, and it became a symbol of capital punishment in the United States. The electric chair was also used extensively in the Philippines. As of 2025, electrocution remains an option in some states, including Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. The most recent execution by electric chair was of Nicholas Todd Sutton in 2020 in Tennessee. The electric chair in Tennessee was reportedly made from wood from the old gallows.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Wood |
| Type of Wood | Oak, Scrap Wood |
| Purpose | Execution |
| Execution Method | Electrocution |
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What You'll Learn
Electric chair construction
The electric chair is a device used for capital punishment through electrocution. The device was conceived in 1881 by Alfred P. Southwick, a dentist from Buffalo, New York, as a more humane alternative to conventional executions, such as hanging. The first electric chair was built by Edwin F. Davis, the first "state electrician" (executioner) for the State of New York.
The electric chair is a custom wooden chair to which the condemned person is strapped and electrocuted via electrodes attached to the head and leg. The first electric chair was made from oak. The chair was designed by George Fell, who went against the Medico-Legal Society's recommendations and changed the position of the electrodes to the head and the middle of the back.
The construction of the electric chair involves assembling the chair's sides, adding horizontal boards for support, and connecting the sides with front and back pieces. The seat is typically made from an old fence board, cut slightly wider than the seat itself. The chair is then fitted with restraints, typically made from leather straps, to secure the condemned person in place.
The electric chair has been the subject of much controversy and debate, with some death row inmates expressing a preference for it over lethal injection, as they believe it forces the state to confront the reality of execution. However, there have been numerous cases of botched executions, and the electric chair has been perceived as a cruel and unusual form of punishment.
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Wood type
The electric chair is a device used for capital punishment through electrocution. The person being executed is strapped to a custom wooden chair and electrocuted via electrodes attached to the head and legs.
The first electric chair was built by Edwin F. Davis, the first "state electrician" (executioner) for the State of New York. The chair was designed by George Fell, who drew up the final designs for a simple oak chair.
One source describes how Tennessee's electric chair was made from wood from the old gallows, which had been used by the state to execute prisoners for over 100 years before the adoption of electrocution.
DIY electric chair props for Halloween decorations can be made from aged scrap wood.
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History
The electric chair was conceived in 1881 by Alfred P. Southwick, a dentist from Buffalo, New York, as a more humane alternative to hanging. It was developed over the next decade and first used in 1890, becoming a symbol of capital punishment in the United States.
The first electric chair was built by Edwin F. Davis, New York state's first executioner. The first person to be executed in New York under the new electrocution law was to be Joseph Chapleau, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. The next person scheduled to be executed was William Kemmler, convicted of murdering his wife with a hatchet. An appeal was made on Kemmler's behalf on the grounds that electrocution was "cruel and unusual punishment", but this was rejected.
The first state to adopt the electric chair as a form of capital punishment was New York's Sing Sing Prison in 1887. All other electric chairs were modelled after this one, known as "Old Sparky". The electric chair was also used extensively in the Philippines.
In recent times, the use of the electric chair has declined, with lethal injection being perceived as a more humane alternative. However, as of 2025, electrocution remains an option in some states, including Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida, where inmates may choose lethal injection instead. Tennessee is the most recent state to carry out an execution by electric chair, in 2020.
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Execution procedure
The electric chair is a device used for capital punishment through electrocution. The procedure for execution by electric chair is laid out in a manual titled "Execution Procedures for Electrocution". The manual details the "Death Watch", the final four days leading up to the execution, including the inmate's access to newspapers and a special last meal.
On the day of the execution, the condemned inmate's head and legs are shaved, and they are seated in the chair. Their arms and legs are tightly strapped with leather belts, and a cap with a saltwater-soaked sponge is placed on their head. Electrodes are attached to the legs, and the inmate is optionally blindfolded or has a bag placed over their head.
The first electric shock, between 2,000 and 2,500 volts, is intended to cause immediate unconsciousness, ventricular fibrillation, and cardiac arrest. The second shock, between 500 and 1,500 volts, is meant to cause lethal damage to the vital organs.
The electric chair was first used in 1890 and became a symbol of capital punishment in the United States. It was originally thought that death was caused by cerebral damage, but it was later established that death primarily results from ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
While the use of the electric chair has declined in the United States, it remains an option in some states, including Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. Inmates in these states may choose between lethal injection and electrocution.
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Halloween decoration construction
If you're looking to build a Halloween electric chair decoration, you'll need some wood, preferably aged scrap wood to achieve a rustic look. You'll also need some basic tools like a saw and a drill, as well as some screws and other hardware.
Step 1: Gather Materials
For this project, you'll need:
- Scrap wood of various lengths and sizes
- A saw
- A drill
- Screws
- Leather straps (optional)
- A chicken brooder heat lamp (or similar) for added effect
Step 2: Cut and Assemble the Sides
Start by cutting two longer pieces of wood to the same length for the sides of the chair. Cut two horizontal support pieces to fit across each side. You can use a jigsaw to cut the wood to the correct size. Assemble each side by attaching the horizontal supports to the vertical side pieces.
Step 3: Connect the Sides
Connect the two sides together by attaching front and back pieces of wood between them. This will form the basic structure of the chair.
Step 4: Add the Seat
For the seat, cut an old fence board or similar piece of wood slightly wider than the space between the sides. Attach this to the chair frame.
Step 5: Optional Details
For an extra creepy touch, add some leather straps for arm and leg holds. You can also add a chicken brooder heat lamp to the back of the chair to resemble the electric "hat" used in real electric chairs.
A Brief History of the Electric Chair
The electric chair was conceived in 1881 by Alfred P. Southwick, a dentist from Buffalo, New York, as a more humane alternative to hanging. The first state to adopt this method of execution was New York in 1887, and the first execution took place in 1890. Over time, the electric chair became a symbol of capital punishment in the United States, though its use has declined in recent years.
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Frequently asked questions
The electric chair is made of oak wood.
Oak wood is strong and durable, making it a suitable material for the construction of the electric chair.
Yes, in addition to oak wood, the electric chair also incorporates metal components, such as electrodes and restraints.
