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Nikola Tesla

10 questions · Science

Nikola Tesla, born in present-day Croatia in 1856 into a Serbian clergyman's family, was a visionary who seemed a good hundred years ahead of his time. As a young engineer he emigrated to the USA in 1884 and worked briefly for Thomas Edison: until the two became rivals in the legendary "War of Currents". Edison backed direct current, Tesla alternating current, which can be transmitted over long distances with far less loss. Tesla won: our power grid still runs on alternating current. His inventions were fundamental. The AC induction motor still drives countless machines, and the Tesla coil named after him produces spectacular, metres-long sparks. Tesla dreamed of a world with wireless energy for all and built the huge Wardenclyffe Tower on Long Island for it: a project that ultimately failed for lack of money. As brilliant as he was, he was hopeless at business: he is said to have torn up a lucrative patent deal to help a partner. The eccentric inventor suffered from compulsions, avoided germs and pearl necklaces, and claimed to design and test whole machines in his head. He spoke several languages and had an extraordinary memory. In 1943 Tesla died poor and alone in a New York hotel room, surrounded by the pigeons he fed. Only later did he become the very icon of the inventor and the physical unit of magnetic flux density bears his name.

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All questions with answers

In which year was Nikola Tesla born?

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1856

In present-day Croatia, then the Austrian Empire.

💡 Did you know? Tesla was born in 1856 in present-day Croatia and later emigrated penniless to the USA.

Which kind of current did Tesla champion?

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alternating current

It can be transmitted over long distances.

💡 Did you know? Tesla's alternating current prevailed because it can be transmitted over long distances far more efficiently than direct current.

Against whom did Tesla wage the 'War of Currents'?

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Edison

Edison backed direct current.

💡 Did you know? In the „war of currents“ with Edison, Tesla emerged the technical winner: but hardly profited financially.

Which motor did Tesla invent?

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induction motor

It still drives countless machines today.

💡 Did you know? Tesla's induction motor still drives countless machines: from fans to electric cars.

Which resonant transformer for high voltage bears the inventor's name?

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Tesla coil

It generates high-frequency high voltage and sparks.

💡 Did you know? The „Tesla coil“ produces spectacular artificial lightning and is still shown in demonstrations today.

What was Tesla working on with the Wardenclyffe Tower?

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wireless power transmission

The project failed for lack of money.

💡 Did you know? With his Wardenclyffe Tower, Tesla dreamed of wireless energy for the whole world: the project failed for lack of money.

Which physical unit is named after him?

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tesla

Symbol T.

💡 Did you know? The unit of magnetic flux density, the tesla, is named after him, as is the car brand.

How did Tesla die in 1943?

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poor in New York

Only later did he become a cult figure.

💡 Did you know? Tesla died in 1943 impoverished and alone in a New York hotel room: despite his brilliant inventions.

Nikola Tesla

Foto: Napoleon Sarony · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Which scientist is shown here?

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Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was a visionary inventor whose alternating-current technology made modern electricity supply possible.

💡 Did you know? Though his inventions changed the world, he died impoverished in a New York hotel room.

Where was Nikola Tesla born?

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Smiljan

Born: 10 July 1856 in Smiljan (now Croatia)

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