A Pioneer in Moving Electro-Magnetic Energy, he Transformed its Methods.
Introduction
Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical/mechanical engineer, and physicist best known for his contributions to the alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.
Early Life and Education
Born in Smiljan, Croatia (then part of the Austrian Empire), Tesla was the fourth of five children. He displayed a strong interest in electricity and science from a young age, experimenting with various mechanical devices. He studied engineering and physics in Graz, Austria, and later at the University of Prague, but did not graduate.
Tesla gained experience in telephony and electrical engineering before emigrating to the United States in 1884 to work for Thomas Edison in New York City. A proponent of AC, his AC induction motor and transformer were licensed by George Westinghouse, who also hired Tesla for a short time as a consultant.
Contributions
Tesla’s key contributions include:
- He developed his alternating current (AC) induction motor and polyphase AC system, which was licensed by Westinghouse Electric.
- He experimented with mechanical oscillators/generators, electrical discharge tubes, and early X-ray imaging.
- He created the Tesla coil, a device still used in radio technology and for generating high-voltage electricity.
- He also developed wireless communication systems and remote control devices, including a wirelessly controlled boat.
Quote
Tesla stated, “Only the existence of a force field can account for the motion of bodies as observed and its assumption dispenses with space curvature.”
Legacy
Tesla’s key contributions include:
- Tesla’s work laid the foundation for the AC power system used worldwide today.
- He was a prolific inventor, holding over 300 patents.
- His inventions and legacy continue to be recognized through various awards and honors, including the tesla unit of magnetic flux density and the Nikola Tesla Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
- The electric car company Tesla was named in his honor.
- The General Conference on Weights and Measures named the SI unit of magnetic flux density the tesla in his honor.