“Be it known that I, NIKOLA TESLA... in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electromagnetic Motors.” This is the opening line of Nikola Tesla’s application at the US Patent Office filed October 20, 1888. Considered to be one of the most significant discoveries of our lifetimes, Tesla’s AC induction motor changed the world.

Nikola Tesla's Early Years

Nikola Tesla’s early life hinted at what was to come. He was born to a priest father and a mother who had a knack for crafting tools and mechanical appliances. In school, Tesla showed an interest in science, even writing that he was especially interested in his physics professor’s demonstrations of electricity. After a nine-month battle with cholera, Tesla was sent off to Austrian Polytechnic thanks to a scholarship. Tesla excelled in school during his first year, passing every test and never missing a day of classes. However, after losing his scholarship and becoming addicted to gambling, Nikola eventually dropped out, moving on to work for the Continental Edison Company. After a time spent installing indoor incandescent lighting all across Paris, the Edison Machine Works division moved Tesla to the United States where he began work on an arc lamp–based street lighting system. After leaving the company, Tesla continued work on his arc lighting system even patenting it and later starting the Tesla Electric Company alongside Alfred Brown and Charles Peck.

Tesla's Alternating Current

One of Tesla’s most significant inventions, the induction motor (an AC electric motor in which the electric current in the rotor needed to produce torque is created by electromagnetic induction), was a low maintenance, more efficient alternative to anything else available at that time. The patent was even licensed by George Westinghouse who was developing an alternating current power system at the time. Tesla was a significant piece of the puzzle, helping to pave the way for those to come after him. HIs contribution to the scientific world cannot be understated. While Tesla was never awarded a Nobel prize, despite receiving a bid in 1937, he did receive countless posthumous awards for his work. Without Tesla, we certainly wouldn’t be quite where we are today. Interested in learning more about the folks who changed the world using science, physics, and most importantly, magnets? Make sure to check our blog for all the latest news and updates.