From da Vinci to Edison, the world of inventors is filled with eccentric stories and several brutal experiments. However, even among the most outstanding minds, it is difficult to find someone who can compare with the incredible Nikola Tesla. This person is considered one of the most striking and extraordinary minds of his time. Around his name there are many legends and for many he remains a mysterious, and almost mystical, historical figure.
One way or another, no one doubts that Tesla’s contribution to science was enormous. Although the name “the genius of light ” known throughout the world, the work of a genius was underestimated, and, according to many experts, he still has not received the world recognition that he always deserved.
We bring to your attention a list of the 10 most interesting facts about Nicola Tesla - the greatest inventor of the world.
10. Many of his inventions are still classified.
Tesla died in 1943 during the Second World War. The U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs has taken all his belongings. Although some things were handed over to his relatives in 1950, there are many of his documents, which are still classified by the US government.
9. Visions came to him
In a matter of minutes, Tesla was able to visualize objects for his inventions.. Compared to other inventors, his working methods were not quite traditional, since he rarely used drafts or plans, using only the power of his imagination.
As a child, Tesla saw bursts of light preceded by inspiration or solution to a problem. For many of his entourage, these visions seemed mystical, but Tesla himself, like any good scientist, perceived them as something born out of a process of thinking.
8. His contribution to the development of science is beyond the scope of the electromagnetic field.
At one time, Nikola Tesla fiercely competed with Thomas Edison (the latter even tried to discredit Tesla's work, arguing that alternating current is very dangerous). But in the end, Tesla would have won this battle.
However, in addition to creating the famous Tesla coil, the scientist also carried out revolutionary work in the fields of electric lighting, engines, radio, X-rays, remote control, radars, communications and robotics.
He also installed the first hydroelectric power station in Noagara Falls in 1895 and discovered fluorescent light, laser beams, wireless (yes, thanks to him we have the Internet), wireless power transmission systems, and a remote control. This is all in addition to the turbines.
He has filed about 700 patents in his life.. His research included the study of solar and marine energy, as well as satellite communications.
Also in 1896, he invented the first radio transistor. Yes, Tesla did this, not Marconi, as is commonly believed. In 1943, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized Tesla's contribution to the Marconi case, although in 1909 the latter was already awarded the Nobel Prize for this discovery.
7. He suffered from several obsessive conditions, in addition, he had a phobia of microbes
History shows that many bright minds at one time suffered from some kind of compulsive disorder. This largely forced them to create incredible inventions and devote themselves to exactly what they were doing. Tesla was no exception.
The scientist was firsthand “familiar” with these ailments. However, these features of his personality, in addition to some everyday inconveniences, brought him an impeccable image in society and the scientific community. It is known that he slept only two hours a day, and this is in addition to his great work ethic and punctuality.
In childhood, Tesla developed a phobia of microbes, which forced him to carry up to 18 handkerchiefs. He was also obsessed with the number three, which forced him to systematically conduct various rituals associated with this number.
6. According to Tesla, he almost provoked an earthquake in Manhattan.
Tesla was the creator of an electromagnetic generator, a steam generator that could not compete with steam turbines. Of course, this did not stop his experiments, from which a small story was born, which he liked to tell his friends.
According to him, once, when he worked in his laboratory on East Houston Street 46 in Manhattan, he created such strong vibrations that they resonated with several neighboring buildings, shaking the ground. This led him to fear for his life, so he immediately destroyed the dangerous apparatus.
5. He electrified butterflies and blew up several power plants in Colorado
Tesla moved to Colorado in 1899 to take advantage of the large space for his experiments and the free power that El Paso Power Company offered him.
Tesla began his experiments with an 80-foot tower, a 142-foot metal mast and a huge coil. This caused huge beams of artificial light, which were supposed to cause thunderstorms, the noise of which was heard for miles from here.
Also during the experiment, you could see the flutter of butterflies in a halo of light. No doubt similar experiments caused engine explosions in power plants.
4. He knew how to dress very well and enjoyed great success among the ladies.
Despite his status as a mad scientist, Tesla was gallant by all standards. He was not only attractive with his penetrating gaze, but also knew how to wear any outfit correctly.
Even with his closed character, Tesla was one of the most interesting interlocutors. In addition, at one time he made friends with celebrities such as writer Mark Twain.
Among other things, he was a rare smoothie. Many women dreamed of seducing him, but the great scientist remained in love exclusively with science.
Tesla was of the opinion that sex interferes with scientific activity, so at one point he decided to live a virtuous life in order to give himself completely to inventions.
At the end of his life, the genius of the world wondered if he had sacrificed too much to give himself completely to science and renounce love, which could truly illuminate his youth and warm his old age.
3. Tesla was an environmentalist
Tesla sought to produce electrical energy in a natural way., that is, literally get it from heaven or from the earth. Such methods of generating electricity did not require the cost of fossil fuels, so they were more environmentally friendly. Moreover, the scientist sought to distribute the energy received completely free of charge.
2. He wanted to light the whole planet
Tesla's secret dream was to illuminate the whole earth, completely eliminating the darkness and opening to humanity a new era of light.
He suggested that gases in the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere are capable of transmitting electric currents, and with the correct transfer of such currents, ground light can be created. But, like many other Tesla projects, this idea was never implemented.
1. The theory of the possibility of communication with extraterrestrial civilizations
His most important discovery was a stay in Colorado Springs from May 1899 to 1900: then he discovered the standing waves of the Earth, which made it clear that our planet can be used as an electrical conductor at certain frequencies so that we can receive signals from space.