Nikola Tesla: The Forgotten Genius of Electricity

Nikola Tesla is one of the most important inventors and engineers in history, whose work laid the foundation for modern electrical systems. He was a misunderstood genius whose vision for the future was often ahead of his time. Although he made inventions that changed the world, he died alone and in obscurity. The story of his life is a mix of scientific triumphs, intense rivalries, and personal tragedy.

The War of Currents

The most famous period of Tesla's life is his rivalry with Thomas Edison, which was nicknamed the "war of currents." Edison, who had a direct current (DC) system, was opposed to Tesla, who was a supporter of alternating current (AC). Tesla was fired from Edison's company, and he created his own AC system, which was more efficient and could be transmitted over long distances. Despite Edison's efforts to discredit Tesla's system, alternating current was eventually adopted all over the world, which laid the foundation for modern electrification.

The Visionary Inventor

The genius of Nikola Tesla was not limited to the war of currents. He made hundreds of inventions and filed hundreds of patents, some of which are still used today. He invented the Tesla coil, a circuit that is still used in many electronic devices. He also worked on the wireless transmission of electricity and on robotics. His most famous vision is perhaps that of transmitting electricity through the Earth, an idea that was perceived as science fiction at the time.

A Solitary and Mysterious End

Despite his contributions, Nikola Tesla died alone, poor, and in obscurity. His last days were marked by a life of eccentricities and a fascination with pigeons. He died in 1943 in his hotel room in New York. On the day of his death, the FBI seized all his documents and research, which led to rumors about the content of his research. Tesla's genius has been rediscovered in recent decades, and he is now considered one of the greatest inventors in history.