Nicola Tesla – The Genius and his legacy

I don’t care that they stole my idea..I care that they don’t have any of their own.

— Nicola Tesla

In 2016 we celebrated the 160th Anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla ( 10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943). He was an inventor, a futurist, a physicist, a mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, a genius. He was born in Smiljan (today Croatia) which was part of the Austrian Empire at the time. He is most well known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity system. Let’s see some interesting facts about him.

1. He obtained around 300 patents worldwide for his inventions.

He invented – among others – the remote control, neon and fluorescent lights, wireless transmission, computers, smartphones, laser beams, x-rays, robotics and, of course, alternating current, the basis of our present-day electrical system. (Source)  Tesla designed the first hydroelectric power plant in Niagara Falls,

The inventor at rest, with a Tesla coil (thanks to a double exposure).

The inventor at rest, with a Tesla coil (thanks to a double exposure).- Source

2. He was a “hyper polyglot”

He spoke eight languages fluently: Serbo-Croatian, English, Czech, German, French, Hungarian, Italian and Latin).

Nikola Tesla, physicist, engineer and inventor of alternating current power, early 1900s – Source 

3. He was obsessed with the number 3

Tesla may have had obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) . He was obsessed with the number 3, and its multiples (carried out compulsive rituals that has anything to do with 3). He cleaned his plates and silverware with 18 napkins before a meal. Tesla spent his last ten years in the Hotel New Yorker. He lived in room 3327, on the 33rd floor. Mathematician say that his obsession wasn’t a simple superstition. ( 3 6 9 The Key to Universe) Tesla said: “If you knew the magnificence of the three, six and nine, you would have a key to the universe.” 

4. He didn’t speak to women wearing pearls

He suffered from insomnia, detested round objects, jewelry, especially pearls. He simply refused to speak to women wearing them.

5. Tesla was born during an extremely violent lightning storm

The legend says that Tesla was born during an extremely violent lightning storm. The midwife interpreted this sign as a bad omen, stating that the newborn would have become a “child of darkness.” Tesla’s mom replied:  “No. He will be a child of light.” And he did  become the man of light. 🙂

6. He had a photographic memory

Tesla had an eidetic or photographic memory which enabled him to memorise complete books just by flipping through the pages.

Nikola Tesla on the cover of Times in the occasion of his 75th birthdayNikola Tesla on the cover of Times in the occasion of his 75th birthday

Nikola Tesla on the cover of Times in the occasion of his 75th birthday

7. “Teslas,” a unit measuring the strength of magnetic fields, are named after Tesla

The International Electrotechnical Commission Committee of Action in Munich, Germany, on June 27th 1956 proclaimed:  “the world unit of magnetic flux density in the Giorgi system to be called “Tesla”.  Source

8. His legacy is carried forward in our days by Elon Musk

He was always working for the benefit of all mankind, and his goal was to create free electricity for the whole world. His legacy is carried forward in our days by Elon Musk who is the co-founder of Tesla Motors. The mission of the company is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable transport. Tesla’s engineers first designed a powertrain for a sports car built around an AC induction motor, patented in 1888 by Nikola Tesla, who inspired the company’s name.

A view of "Starman" in the Tesla Roadster launched into space on the SpaceX

A view of “Starman” in the Tesla Roadster launched into space on the SpaceX

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maja

maja

Editor in Chief

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