Nikola Tesla : How can we neglect this mastermind !

Mehreen Mallick Fiona | December 2022

Nikola Tesla- A Neglected Visionary:

When we search through our history for the most spectacular geniuses, we come across many persons that are nearly identical and possess the most extravagant minds.

Unfortunately, we neglect Nikola Tesla who is one of history's most significant inventors, who devoted his entire life to creating extraordinary technologies that aided in the advancement of humankind.

He was one of the most underestimated inventors and is primarily remembered for his contributions to the development of the present alternating current (AC) electrical grid.
                                               

Tesla's Genesis:

In Smiljan, which the Austrian Empire recognized as Croatia, Tesla was born in 1856. Nikola Tesla was an American engineer, inventor, and futurist of Serbian descent. He was born during a pitch-black, violent thunderstorm-filled night.

People at the time thought Tesla was a descendant of the devil. Tesla's mother, Georgina-Đuka Tesla was different from other mothers in that she thought her son would bring light to this dark earth. 

After graduating, Tesla went back to Smiljan where he battled cholera and nearly perished.

After he recovered from his illness, he joined Imperial-Royal Technical College in 1875 and may have obtained the highest marks after recovering quickly from cholera. He once demonstrated to the professor how to use alternating currents to enhance an electric motor.

How he collaborated with Thomas Edison:

Tesla was hired by the Continental Edison Company in 1882 after they were impressed by his rapid growth. He installed lighting systems at the Société Electrique Edison. The business recognized Tesla's aptitude for physics and engineering.

He relocated to New York City, US, two years after joining the Continental Edison Company, and he started working at the Machine Works on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

After six months, Edison made Tesla a $50,000 offer to design 24 different sorts of accurate machines.

After finishing the assignments, Edison denied giving Tesla $50,000. At that point, the friendship between Edison and Tesla was ruined. In 1885, Tesla finally left Edison's business, Edison Machine Works.

Tesla and Edison's ego clash:

How electricity should be provided and contained was a point of contention between the two men. Edison chose direct current, which has a single-direction flow of electricity. Alternating current, which occasionally reverses the direction of the electric charge, was favored by Tesla.

It can therefore transport power farther and with more intensity. This is the reason why DC powers more compact devices like flashlights and AC powers our homes and other huge equipment.

But since he held all the patents for direct current, Edison didn't care about AC because it might have impacted direct current sales.

Beginning of Tesla Electric Light and Manufacturing Company:

With financial assistance from Robert Lane and Benjamin Vail, Tesla established Tesla Electric Light & Manufacturing after leaving Edison Machine Works.

After some time, Tesla became Thomas Edison's main rival after creating the alternating current (AC) kind of energy (AC). In Edison's opinion, alternating current (AC) systems are inferior to direct current (DC) systems.

However, due to energy loss, DC was ineffective in transmission over long distances.
By publicly putting animals and criminals who had received death sentences to death using alternating current (AC), Edison took advantage of this and fooled the public into believing that AC was harmful and might kill them.

But Tesla never felt broken or embarrassed despite possessing a mind full of kindness. Tesla kept going despite being aware of the instances. Ultimately, the world converted to using AC instead of DC after comprehending its higher efficacy. 

To wrap up this article, consider Nikola's secret behind his refined way of originating with one of his highly contagious quotes:

"Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born."

— Nikola Tesla