Born in Smiljan, in the Austrian Empire (modern-day Croatia) in 1856, Nikola Tesla exhibited an early fascination with electricity and experimentation. His extraordinary memory and mathematical genius led him to study engineering at Graz and Prague, where he began to develop ideas that would transform the world. After working as an electrical engineer in Budapest and Paris, Tesla emigrated to the United States in 1884, arriving in New York City with little more than a letter of recommendation to Thomas Edison and a dream to harness the power of currents.
While Edison championed direct current (DC) systems, Tesla developed alternating current (AC) motors and power networks that proved far more efficient for long-distance transmission. In partnership with industrialist George Westinghouse, Tesla’s AC technology powered the first major hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls in 1895, demonstrating the feasibility of electrifying cities and industries. His invention of the induction motor, based on rotating magnetic fields, laid the foundation for modern electric machines and earned him widespread acclaim as the father of the AC revolution.
Beyond power distribution, Tesla invented the resonant transformer circuit known as the Tesla Coil, which generated high-voltage, high-frequency currents. He performed stunning demonstrations of wireless lighting and experimented with transmitting energy through the air. Tesla also envisioned a global wireless communication system and began constructing the Wardenclyffe Tower on Long Island to send signals and power without wires. Though funding ran dry and the project was never completed, his vision anticipated radio, radar, and modern wireless charging technologies.
Tesla’s brilliance was matched by a quirky personality and a life of personal sacrifice. He held hundreds of patents but often struggled to secure lasting financial backing, living his later years in modest New York hotels. Rivalries with Edison and sensational claims—such as earthquake machines and death rays—shaped his public image. Nonetheless, he continued to refine his theories on energy and matter until his death in 1943, alone and largely forgotten by mainstream audiences.
Today, Nikola Tesla’s legacy shines more brightly than ever. His contributions underpin modern power grids, electric motors, and wireless systems. Engineers honor his name through companies like Tesla, Inc., fostering a renewed interest in renewable energy and electric vehicles. Museums, books, and films celebrate his visionary ideas, inspiring a new generation to pursue innovation fearlessly. His centennial recognition by the IEEE and global Tesla Day celebrations underscore his enduring influence on science and technology. By combining deep scientific insight with boundless imagination, Tesla reminded the world that true progress often springs from daring to imagine the impossible.