Life of Nikola Tesla

Skills you'll gain

Modules

7 modules in this path

1. 1. Early years

   3 life chapters

   What's included: 3 lessons

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1856 chapter: Born in Smiljan, Austrian Empire

     I was born where lightning spoke first

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1870 chapter: Attended high school in Karlovac

     The professor's hand touched the machine, and I forgot to breathe.

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1875 chapter: Enrolled at technical college in Graz

     Nine examinations. One letter. The first machine I ever built in my mind.

2. 2. Work & ideas

   3 life chapters

   What's included: 3 lessons

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1881 chapter: Worked at Budapest Telephone Exchange

     Budapest. The exchange hums. I am chief electrician now.

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1882 chapter: Joined Continental Edison Company in Paris

     Edison's name is on the door, but the current is teaching me its own grammar

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1884 chapter: Emigrated to the United States

     Four cents in my pocket, and a letter to a man I had never met

3. 3. Controversies & turning points

   1 life chapter

   What's included: 1 lessons

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1886 chapter: Founded Tesla Electric Light and Manufacturing, then abandoned

     I built a company. They took the name and left me the ditch.

4. 4. Highlights

   3 life chapters

   What's included: 3 lessons

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1887 chapter: Developed AC induction motor

     I have seen the field rotate

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1888 chapter: Licensed AC patents to Westinghouse Electric

     Westinghouse has my patents. The war is not over—it has only begun.

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1893 chapter: Proposed wireless communication

     I have sent the lightning on an errand

5. 5. Work & ideas

   1 life chapter

   What's included: 1 lessons

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's c. 1901–1902 chapter: Began unfinished Wardenclyffe Tower project

     The tower rises, and the money runs dry

6. 6. Later years

   1 life chapter

   What's included: 1 lessons

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1943 chapter: Died in New York City

     I leave the light on

7. 7. Legacy

   1 life chapter

   What's included: 1 lessons

   • lesson

     Understand Nikola Tesla's 1960 chapter: SI unit 'tesla' named in his honor

     They named the magnetic force after me. I was not there to hear it.

Teachers

Nikola Tesla

electrical engineering · invention