NikolaTesla was a well-known Serbian-American inventor, electricalengineer, and mechanical engineer who was awarded about 300 patents for his inventions. He was born in Smiljan, Croatia on July 10, 1856. Tesla’s mother,Duka,wasanearlyinspiration to him as she invented small household appliances during his childhood. Teslaclearlyinherited his mother’s inventive spirit, as he went on todevelopsome of the most important inventions inhistory, such asalternating current (AC) electricity and the Tesla Coil.
Growing up, Tesla studied in various places in Europe including Germany, Austria, and Prague. In the late 1870s, he had the opportunity to go to Budapest where he worked at the Telephone Exchange. While in Budapest he made improvements to some inventions and came up with his ideafor theinduction motor,which produced an alternatingcurrent system and used electromagnetic induction from the magnetic field, instead of electrical connections tothe rotor. He later tried to gain attention for his proposed invention but didn’t gain any recognition. At age 28, in 1884, he decided to move tothe U.S.where there were more opportunities. While inthe U.S.Tesla met Thomas Edison and worked alongside him for a couple of months. When Edison refused to pay Tesla for his work, Tesla decided to leave and pursue his own journey as an inventor.
In 1887,Tesla received funding to start a company from American entrepreneurGeorge Westinghouse. Tesla was able to finalize his induction motor to compete against Edison’s directcurrent system. Tesla’s motor was certainly an asset during the Industrial Revolution of the 19thcentury as it was found to be more durable, cheaper, and more efficient than his competitors.Tesla licensed his invention to the Westinghouse Companyin 1888.In 1893, Tesla achieved a milestone at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This exposition was the turning point forpublicacceptance of alternatingcurrent as it dispelled the public’s doubts aboutthe safety andreliabilityofalternating current.. Theexpositiondemonstrated that alternating currentcould run smoothlyand itlater became the main standard for power systems.
In 1895, Tesla’s lab burned down in New York, which destroyed most of his work including notes, designs, patents and inventions. After the trauma of losing everything, Tesla moved to Colorado Springs. During this time, Tesla thought of the idea of a world-wireless-networkfor communication. He was able to network with J.P. Morgan, a wealthy financier, and together they set up a laboratoryback inLong Island, New York.
In 1901 another famous inventor, Guglielmo Marconi, transmitted Morse code from England to Canada, but Tesla believed that Marconi stole some of his world-wireless-network ideas.Thefollowing year, Tesla proposed a different angle of communication and came up with the “World Telegraphy System,” in which he envisioned transmitting stations would collect and broadcast news stories through individual receivers. However, this early idea of radio was shut down and Tesla lost the funding from J.P. Morgan that supported his lab because his idea didn’t seem feasible. Investors started to favor Marconi because of his previous success and began funding him instead.
Tesla’s last living years were spent in poverty until he died on January 7, 1943.Six months after his death,theUnited States Supreme Court awarded the patent of radio back to Tesla.The reason for why the U.S. revoked Tesla’s patent for radio in the first place is debated, butmanyassume it is because of Marconi’srobustfinancial backing.. Although the last ofTesla’s years were tragic, heis remembered as anaccomplishedinventor who made significant advancements in the world of communication, electricity,and manufacturing.
