Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was born to Serbian parents in the village of Smiljan, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His father, Milutin Tesla, was an Orthodox priest, and his mother, Djuka Mandić, was known for her inventiveness and the creation of household appliances.

Tesla moved to Karlovac to attend the Higher Real Gymnasium, where he excelled in his studies, particularly in mathematics and physics. His performance was so outstanding that he completed a four-year course in just three years.

Tesla enrolled at the Austrian Polytechnic in Graz, where he studied physics, mathematics, and mechanical and electrical engineering. He quickly gained a reputation as a brilliant student, often outperforming his peers and professors in class.

After leaving Graz without a degree, Tesla moved to Prague to study at Charles-Ferdinand University. However, his time there was brief due to financial difficulties, and he did not complete a formal degree.

Tesla began working at the Budapest Telephone Exchange, where he made significant improvements to the telephone amplifier. This experience provided him with practical knowledge of electrical engineering and telecommunication systems.

Tesla moved to Paris to work for the Continental Edison Company, where he was tasked with improving and designing dynamos. His work impressed his employers, and he was sent to Strasbourg to oversee the installation of an advanced lighting system.

Tesla arrived in New York City with little money and only a letter of recommendation from Charles Batchelor, a former supervisor at the Continental Edison Company. He was soon hired by Thomas Edison and began working at the Edison Machine Works.

After leaving Edison's employ, Tesla founded Tesla Electric Light & Manufacturing with the help of investors Robert Lane and Benjamin Vail. The company installed the first electric arc light systems in New York City and designed dynamos for electric power.

Tesla developed the alternating current (AC) induction motor, a revolutionary device that could convert electrical energy into mechanical energy more efficiently than the direct current (DC) systems of the time. This invention was a cornerstone of the AC system.

Tesla delivered a groundbreaking lecture to the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, demonstrating the principles of the AC system and the induction motor. This lecture attracted the attention of George Westinghouse, who would later license Tesla's patents.

Tesla became a naturalized citizen of the United States, solidifying his commitment to his adopted country and its technological advancements. This status allowed him to patent and commercialize his inventions more effectively.

At the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Tesla demonstrated wireless transmission of electrical energy, including lighting lamps wirelessly. This exhibition showcased the potential of his AC system and wireless technology to a global audience.

Tesla invented the Tesla coil, a high-voltage, high-frequency transformer used to produce long-distance wireless power transmission and radio waves. This device was crucial in the development of radio and wireless communication.

Tesla established an experimental station in Colorado Springs to study high-voltage, high-frequency alternating currents. Here, he conducted extensive experiments on wireless power transmission and radio, including the transmission of signals over 60 miles.

With funding from J.P. Morgan, Tesla began construction on the Wardenclyffe Tower, a facility designed to demonstrate wireless power transmission and global communication. Although the project was never fully completed, it represented Tesla's vision for a wireless world.

Facing financial difficulties, Tesla was forced to sell the Wardenclyffe property to pay off debts. The facility was dismantled, and the dream of wireless power transmission was put on hold, though Tesla continued to work on other projects.

Nikola Tesla died in his room at the New Yorker Hotel. He was found by his maid on January 7, 1943, and was later buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Ardsley, New York. Tesla's legacy as a visionary inventor and electrical pioneer endures to this day.