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Nikola Tesla

Inventor

1856–1943

Biography

Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and futurist, best known for his contributions to the development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems. In 1887 and 1888, he secured over 30 patents for his AC induction motor and transformer, which revolutionized the power industry. Tesla's work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries laid the foundation for modern electrical engineering. In 1891, he invented the Tesla coil, a high-voltage transformer that is still used today in radio technology and various medical devices. Additionally, his experiments with wireless transmission of electricity and radio waves were pioneering, leading to the development of early radio communication. Tesla's keen intellect extended to the realms of robotics, radar, and computer science concepts. His visionary ideas and inventions continue to influence contemporary technology.

About

Born July 10, 1856

Died January 7, 1943

Birthplace Smiljan, Austrian Empire (modern-day Croatia)

Nationality Austrian, later American

Education Dropped out

School Graz University of Technology

Resting Place Ferncliff Cemetery, Ardsley, New York, USA

Popular Quotes

"One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane."

Philosophy Wisdom Mental health Psychology

"All that was great in the past was ridiculed, condemned, combated, suppressed—only to emerge all the more powerfully, all the more triumphantly from the struggle."

Resilience Perseverance History Struggle

"Instinct is something which transcends knowledge."

Philosophy Human nature Knowledge Understanding

"Anti-social behavior is a trait of intelligence in a world full of conformists."

Intelligence Individualism Nonconformity Conformity

"Most persons are so absorbed in the contemplation of the outside world that they are wholly oblivious to what is passing on within themselves."

Personal growth Self-awareness Mindfulness Self-discovery

"With ideas it is like with dizzy heights you climb: At first they cause you discomfort and you are anxious to get down, distrustful of your own powers; but soon the remoteness of the turmoil of life and the inspiring influence of the altitude calm your blood; your step gets firm and sure and you begin to look — for dizzier heights."

Personal growth Inspiration Resilience Perspective

"The feeling is constantly growing on me that I had been the first to hear the greeting of one planet to another."

Universe Astronomy Space exploration Extraterrestrial

"We crave for new sensations but soon become indifferent to them. The wonders of yesterday are today common occurrences."

Perception Human nature Change Adaptation

"The scientists of today have substituted mathematics for experiments, and they wander off through equation after equation, and eventually build a structure which has no relation to reality."

Reality Science Albert einstein Scientific method

"Our senses enable us to perceive only a minute portion of the outside world."

Perception Reality Awareness Consciousness

"Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born."

Inspiration Mindfulness Creativity Innovation

"The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention."

Creativity Innovation Progress Technology

"If you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6 and 9, then you would have the key to the universe."

Spirituality Science Mysticism Mathematics

"The desire that guides me in all I do is the desire to harness the forces of nature to the service of mankind."

Inspiration Philosophy Innovation Humanity

"What we now want is closer contact and better understanding between individuals and communities all over the Earth, and the elimination of egoism and pride which always tend to plunge the world into primeval barbarism and strife."

Empathy Communication Unity Community