In the mid-19th century, the Austrian Empire spanned a vast territory from Italy to Ukraine, characterised by both authoritarian rule and significant reforms. It was during this era, in the village of Smiljan (now in modern-day Croatia), that Nikola Tesla was born, the fourth of five children. Tesla’s father was a priest, and the family later moved to nearby Gospić, where his parish was located. In 1870, Tesla attended high school in Karlovac, where he first developed an interest in electricity. However, his early years were fraught with challenges, including a severe bout of cholera that nearly took his life. To avoid conscription into the Empire’s military, Tesla spent time hiding in the mountains.
In 1875, Tesla enrolled at the Imperial-Royal Technical College in Graz. Initially successful, he struggled by his third year and left without graduating. Rumours circulated that he had drowned in the Mur River, but in reality, he had crossed into Slovenia and taken a job as a draftsman. Eventually deported for failing to obtain a residence permit, Tesla returned home in time to see his father die in 1879.
Tesla’s Professional Life
In 1881, Tesla began working at the Budapest Telephone Exchange in Hungary, where he quickly rose to the position of chief engineer, making significant improvements to their equipment. In 1882, upon the recommendation of his supervisor Tivadar Puskás, Tesla moved to Paris to work for the Continental Edison Company, where he excelled and was soon sent on troubleshooting missions.
Tesla’s next major step came when Charles Batchelor, a close associate of Thomas Edison, brought him to New York City. Tesla began working at Edison’s Machine Works but left after six months, a period that sparked the myth of animosity between Tesla and Edison. According to Tesla, he was promised a $50,000 bonus (equivalent to about $2 million today) for improving certain machinery. When the bonus was not paid, Tesla claimed he resigned in disappointment. However, this story, originating from Tesla’s later writings, lacks documentation and plausibility, especially given the large sum involved and Tesla’s modest weekly pay at the time.
The Myth of the Tesla-Edison Feud
The notion that Tesla and Edison harboured mutual animosity is largely a myth. While competition existed between their respective companies, personal interactions between the two men were limited and mostly respectful. Tesla even praised Edison in a New York Times article upon his death, highlighting Edison’s genius and contributions to humanity. The so-called “War of the Currents” further fueled this myth. Tesla’s Alternating Current (AC) system, championed by George Westinghouse, competed with Edison’s Direct Current (DC) system. Edison’s attempts to discredit AC, including public demonstrations of its dangers, were part of a broader business rivalry rather than personal vendetta.
Tesla’s Innovations and Later Years
Tesla’s contributions to electrical engineering were groundbreaking. His work on AC power systems, the Tesla Coil, and remote control demonstrated his exceptional ingenuity. Despite his successes, Tesla faced financial difficulties. His ambitious project to develop wireless power transmission through the Wardenclyffe Tower failed due to lack of funding and investor interest. The myth that Tesla invented a form of free energy stems from misconceptions about his wireless power experiments. Tesla envisioned a system for wireless transmission of electricity, not free energy, and his ideas, while innovative, were never fully realised.
The Death Ray and Other Myths
Another persistent myth is that Tesla invented a death ray. Tesla did propose a device called the Teleforce, which he believed could end warfare by creating an impenetrable defensive barrier. However, no working model was ever demonstrated, and the concept remains speculative. Tesla’s later years were marked by eccentric behaviour and declining mental health. His obsession with numbers and cleanliness suggests he may have had Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Quotes attributed to Tesla about the significance of the numbers 3, 6, and 9 lack evidence and are likely apocryphal.
Conclusion
Nikola Tesla’s life and career are shrouded in myths that often overshadow his genuine contributions to science and engineering. The supposed feud with Thomas Edison, exaggerated tales of free energy, and claims of developing a death ray are mostly the product of misunderstandings and embellishments. Tesla’s true legacy lies in his groundbreaking work on alternating current (AC), the Tesla Coil, and wireless communication, which laid the foundation for modern electrical systems. While his ambition sometimes exceeded practical limits, particularly in his failed attempt at wireless power transmission through the Wardenclyffe Tower, his innovations remain central to contemporary technology.
Despite his later years being marked by eccentric behaviour and declining mental health, which led to further myths and grandiose claims, Tesla’s actual achievements underscore his brilliance and visionary approach. His pioneering work revolutionised electrical engineering and continues to influence modern technology. By separating fact from fiction, we can better appreciate the genuine genius of Nikola Tesla and the profound impact of his contributions to science and technology.