NIKOLA TESLA

WHO?

• Born July 10, 1856
• Serbian-American inventor who contributed to the development of the alternating-current electrical systems, that's widely used today.
• Discovered rotating magnetic (basis of AC machinery)
• His mother was his inspiration for his electrical inventions, who invented small household appliances in spare time.

1870's

• Studied at a Polytechnic Austria Institution and University of Prague
• Moved to Budapest and worked at Central Telephone Exchange where he introduced the motor

1884

• Left Europe at 28 for America
• Arrived with very little but a letter from inventor and business mogul Thomas Edison, who hired him onto his fast growing electrical works business
• They worked closely and productively for a long time but it was short lived due to conflicting business-scientific relationships and different personalities

1885

• Received funding for Tesla Electric Light Company to develop improved arc lighting
• Went into a period of turmoil and did labor to survive

1887

• Patented several successful AC based inventions

1891

• Caught attention of George Westinghouse who wanted to supply the nation with long distance power
• He believed in Tesla and bought his patents

1893

• In direct competition with Edison, Tesla conducted demos of his AC system at World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago
• Westinghouse Corporation was chosen to supply the lighting over Edison

1895

• Tesla designed what was among the first AC hydroelectric power plants in the U.S. at Niagara Falls

1896

• That system was used to power Buffalo, NY
• AC system became prominent power system of 20th century
• It has remained the worldwide system ever since

BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• AC system
• Tesla coil
• (Helped but not credited to): dynamos
• Introduced motor
• Radar technology
• X-Ray technology
• Remote control
• Rotating magnetic field

After his failure at Warden clyffe project, he kind of went rogue and a little bit crazy. He died January 7, 1943