Nikola Tesla
| Personal Details | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 July 1856 Smiljan, Austrian Empire (modern Croatia) |
| Died | 7 January 1943 (aged 86) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | Serbian, American |
| Career & Education | |
| Education | Graz University of Technology; Charles-Ferdinand University |
| Recognition & Links | |
| Awards | Edison Medal (1916) |
Nikola Tesla (10 July 1856 – 7 January 1943) was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist. He is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.
Early Life
Tesla was born and raised in the Austrian Empire. He studied engineering and physics in the 1870s without gaining a degree, gaining practical experience in the early 1880s working in telephony and at Continental Edison in the new electric power industry.
Career & Innovations
Tesla emigrated to the United States in 1884, where he became a naturalized citizen. He worked briefly at the Edison Machine Works in New York City before striking out on his own.
With partners to finance and market his ideas, Tesla set up laboratories and companies in New York to develop a range of electrical and mechanical devices. His alternating current (AC) induction motor and related polyphase AC patents were licensed by Westinghouse Electric in 1888.
Key Inventions
- Polyphase Alternating Current System
- Induction Motor
- Tesla Coil
- Wireless Radio Principles