Early Life and Education
Nikola Tesla was born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, then part of the Austrian Empire (now Croatia). He was the fourth of five children in a Serbian family. His father, Milutin Tesla, was an Orthodox priest and writer, while his mother, Đuka Mandić, was known for her inventiveness in household appliances. Tesla's early education took place at the Realschule in Karlstadt, followed by studies at the Polytechnic Institute in Graz and the University of Prague, though he did not complete a degree at these institutions. (biography.com)
Career and Major Contributions
Work with Thomas Edison
In 1884, Tesla emigrated to the United States and began working for Thomas Edison at the Edison Machine Works in New York City. Their collaboration was short-lived due to differing opinions on electrical systems; Edison favored direct current (DC), while Tesla advocated for alternating current (AC). (biography.com)
Development of Alternating Current Systems
After leaving Edison's company, Tesla partnered with industrialist George Westinghouse to promote AC as the standard for electrical power distribution. Tesla's inventions, including the induction motor and transformers, were instrumental in the widespread adoption of AC, which became the dominant electrical system worldwide. (britannica.com)
Inventions and Innovations
Tesla's work encompassed numerous innovations:
- –
Tesla Coil: A resonant transformer circuit used to produce high-voltage, low-current, high-frequency alternating-current electricity. (
britannica.com)
- –
Wireless Power Transmission: Tesla experimented with transmitting electrical energy without wires, envisioning a global wireless power system. (
en.wikipedia.org)
- –
Radio Technology: Although Guglielmo Marconi is often credited with the invention of radio, Tesla's earlier experiments laid the groundwork for wireless communication. (
Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Tesla continued to work on various projects but faced financial difficulties and diminishing public recognition. He died on January 7, 1943, in New York City. Posthumously, Tesla's contributions have been widely acknowledged, and he is regarded as a pioneer of modern electrical engineering. The International System of Units honors his legacy by naming the unit of magnetic flux density the "tesla" (T). (britannica.com)
Key Facts
- –Birth: July 10, 1856, Smiljan, Austrian Empire (now Croatia)
- –Death: January 7, 1943, New York City, U.S.
- –Major Contributions: Development of AC electrical systems, Tesla coil, wireless power transmission
- –Collaborations: Worked with Thomas Edison; partnered with George Westinghouse
- –Legacy: Unit of magnetic flux density named "tesla"; regarded as a pioneer in electrical engineering