Nikola Tesla
- Born:
- July 10, 1856, Smiljan, Austrian Empire (modern-day Croatia)
- Died:
- January 7, 1943, New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- Austrian (later American)
- Profession(s):
- Electrical Engineer, Physicist, Inventor, Mechanical Engineer, Futurist
Early Life and Education
- Attended the Austrian Polytechnic in Graz, Austria (1875).
- Studied at Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague (briefly).
- Worked for the Continental Edison Company in various European cities.
Career and Major Achievements
- Emigrated to the United States in 1884 and briefly worked for Thomas Edison.
- Developed the alternating current (AC) electrical system, which became the standard worldwide.
- Founded the Tesla Electric Light & Manufacturing company.
- Pioneered research in radio technology, wireless communication, and X-ray technology.
- Demonstrated wireless power transmission.
Notable Works
- AC Electrical System: Designed and implemented the polyphase AC system for power generation and distribution.
- Tesla Coil: Invented the Tesla coil, a resonant transformer circuit for producing high-voltage, high-frequency alternating current electricity.
- Radio: Developed key technologies for radio communication, though patent disputes occurred.
- Wardenclyffe Tower: An unfinished wireless telecommunications and power transmission tower.
Legacy and Impact
Nikola Tesla's work revolutionized electrical engineering and profoundly impacted modern technology. His AC electrical system remains the backbone of power distribution globally, and his inventions paved the way for numerous advancements in fields like radio, wireless communication, and medical imaging. His contributions significantly influenced the history of science and technology. The study of the biography of inventors often begins with Tesla.