A biography of Nikola Tesla, physicist, inventor, and electrical engineer.

“The gold standard for Tesla biography.”—Science “Superb.”—Nature The definitive account of Tesla's life and work Nikola Tesla was a major contributor to the electrical revolution that transformed daily life at the turn of the twentieth century. His inventions, patents, and theoretical work formed the basis of modern AC electricity, and contributed to the development of radio and television. Like his competitor Thomas Edison, Tesla was one of America's first celebrity scientists, enjoying the company of New York high society and dazzling the likes of Mark Twain with his electrical demonstrations. An astute self-promoter and gifted showman, he cultivated a public image of the eccentric genius. Even at the end of his life when he was living in poverty, Tesla still attracted reporters to his annual birthday interview, regaling them with claims that he had invented a particle-beam weapon capable of bringing down enemy aircraft. Plenty of biographies glamorize Tesla and his eccentricities, but until now none has carefully examined what, how, and why he invented. In this groundbreaking book, W. Bernard Carlson demystifies the legendary inventor, placing him within the cultural and technological context of his time, and focusing on his inventions themselves as well as the creation and maintenance of his celebrity. Drawing on original documents from Tesla's private and public life, Carlson shows how he was an "idealist" inventor who sought the perfect experimental realization of a great idea or principle, and who skillfully sold his inventions to the public through mythmaking and illusion. This major biography sheds new light on Tesla's visionary approach to invention and the business strategies behind his most important technological breakthroughs.

As a child, Nikola Tesla saw a picture of a waterfall and imagined an invention that would harness the water's energy. Decades later, he invented the water wheel. Learn about the innovative inventor who changed the world of electricity.

Finalist for the 2020 AAAS / Subaru SB&F Excellence in Science Book exemplify outstanding and engaging science writing and illustration for young readers Nikola Tesla was a physicist, electrical engineer, and world-renowned inventor whose accomplishments faded into oblivion after his death in 1943. Some considered this eccentric visionary to be a "mad" scientist, but many of his ideas and inventions that were deemed impossible during his lifetime have since become reality. He is now acknowledged to have invented the radio ahead of Marconi. Tesla was undeniably eccentric and compulsive. Among other things, Tesla developed generators, fluorescent tubes, neon lights, and a small remote-controlled boat. He also helped design the world's first hydroelectric plant at Niagara Falls. Nikola Tesla for Kids is the story of Nikola Tesla's life and ideas, complete with a time line, 21 hands-on activities, and additional resources to better understand his many accomplishments.Kids will: Construct an electric circuit Explore Tesla's birthplace online Investigate the nature of electromagnetic waves Mix up batch of fluorescent slime "Visit" the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition Build a soda bottle submarine And more!

Have you ever tried to invent something? As a child, Nikola Tesla saw a picture of a waterfall and imagined an invention that would turn the water's energy into electricity. Later, he invented the water wheel, which turned water power into usable energy. As a young adult, Tesla spent his spare time experimenting with electrical equipment. He worked for inventor Thomas Edison, improving power plants and machines that ran on direct current electricity. But Tesla believed electrical distribution could be better. He went on to invent alternating current electricity, which would allow people to distribute electricity over long distances. Learn how Tesla's work eventually made turning on electrical devices as easy as flipping a switch!

Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was a forerunner of the electronic age and one of science's greatest unsung heroes. This book, which was written with humor and élan, provides unique insights into one of the leading figures in modern science. His research created much of the foundation for contemporary electrical and communication systems. However, Tesla's name and contributions are only faintly known today. The visionary scientist speaks for himself in this volume, originally published in a six-part series in Electrical Experimenter magazine. This edition includes the essay "The Problem of Increasing Human Energy: With Special Reference to the Harnessing of the Sun's Energy," which anticipates latter-day advances in environmental technology. Written with wit and élan, this memoir offers fascinating insights into one of the great minds of modern science.

Part one of the Tesla Presents series, this book contains the transcript of an extended pre-hearing interview with Nikola Tesla in which he chronicals his efforts directed towards the development of an earth-based system for wireless telecommunications. An Appendex section includes the description of a physical plant built for this purpose in 1901 as reported in foreclosure appeal proceedings. 103 photos and line-art illustrations, indexed.