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- Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
- Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
- Sprache: Englisch
In "Tesla: Collected Writings," readers are presented with a compendium of the visionary thoughts and seminal ideas of Nikola Tesla, the famed inventor and electrical engineer whose contributions laid the groundwork for modern electricity and wireless communication. This collection showcases Tesla's eclectic literary style, oscillating between technical treatises and poignant reflections on humanity's relationship with technology. Within these pages, one finds not only detailed expositions of his groundbreaking inventions but also philosophical musings on the future, energy, and the potential of humankind, framed within the late 19th and early 20th-century context of rapid industrialization and scientific progress. Tesla, a Serbian-American polymath, was often overshadowed by his contemporaries yet remained dedicated to his vision of harnessing electricity for the betterment of society. His numerous struggles with financial entities and competition from figures like Thomas Edison reveal his commitment to ideation over profit, driving him to produce this anthology of writings as a means of preserving his legacy and inspiring future generations to embrace innovation. Tesla'Äôs unique blend of science, mysticism, and foresight pulsates through his writings, urging readers to reconsider the implications of technology. This book is indispensable for anyone interested in the crossroads of science, philosophy, and ethics, and serves as a vital resource for scholars, engineers, and enthusiasts alike. "Tesla: Collected Writings" not only illuminates the mind of a genius but also serves as a timeless call to action for those who dare to challenge the norms of their era and envision a brighter future.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023
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Tesla: Collected Writings
Table of Contents
Introduction
The collection 'Tesla: Collected Writings' serves as a comprehensive anthology of the enduring works of Nikola Tesla, a visionary who profoundly shaped the landscape of electrical engineering and scientific thought. This compilation aims to encapsulate the breadth and richness of Tesla's contributions, showcasing his multifaceted genius as an inventor, theoretical physicist, and futurist. By collating his most significant writings, this collection endeavors to preserve and celebrate Tesla's legacy, inviting contemporary readers to rediscover his insights and innovations that set the stage for modern electrical advancements.
This collection comprises a diverse array of text types, including autobiographies, lectures, scientific articles, and essays. From the intimate reflections in 'My Inventions' to the technical complexity of his lectures and articles, each piece offers a unique glimpse into Tesla’s mind and work. By including autobiographical accounts alongside detailed scientific explorations, this anthology presents not just the theoretical frameworks of Tesla's ideas, but also the personal narrative that informs them, providing a well-rounded understanding of his contributions.
Unifying themes permeate the works of Tesla, most notably his relentless pursuit of innovation and the application of science for the betterment of humanity. Common stylistic hallmarks include a clear, didactic approach characterized by vivid imagery and metaphorical language, which together enhance the accessibility of complex scientific concepts. The significance of these writings lies in their forward-thinking visions and the palpable sense of wonder that Tesla embedded in his explorations of the natural world, inspiring generations to follow in his inventive footsteps.
Throughout his life, Tesla was preoccupied with themes of energy transmission and the profound implications of electricity for society, which resonate throughout this collection. His writings invite readers to ponder not only the mechanics of electricity but also its transformative potential in realms as diverse as communication, medicine, and warfare. As you engage with this anthology, you will uncover the connections between Tesla’s technical innovations and his philosophical reflections on the future of science and its ethical considerations.
Tesla’s technical prowess is evident in his detailed explorations of alternating currents, high-frequency phenomena, and electromagnetic systems. His lectures, such as those contained within 'A New System of Alternate Current Motors and Transformers,' reflect a remarkable synthesis of theoretical knowledge and practical experimentation. By showcasing his groundbreaking advancements in electrical engineering, these works provide insights into the foundational principles that have shaped contemporary technology, making them essential reading for both enthusiasts and scholars of science.
Accompanying his scientific musings are Tesla's visionary ideas that venture into the realm of the fantastical. Works like 'Talking with Planets' and 'The Transmission of Electric Energy Without Wires' reveal Tesla’s imaginative spirit, demonstrating his ambition to transcend terrestrial limitations through the wonders of science. These visionary writings provide a compelling narrative that challenges the boundaries of conventional thought, inviting readers to explore the possibilities inherent in technology and humanity's relationship with the cosmos.
The collection also reflects Tesla's engagement with contemporary scientific discourse, evidenced by his correspondence and articles addressing peers and the public alike. His letters to magazine editors, for instance, reveal a keen awareness of the societal implications of his inventions and the emerging scientific debates of his time. By including these elements, the anthology serves not only as a repository of Tesla's ideas but also as a historical document that contextualizes his work within the broader scientific community of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Tesla’s explorations into medical applications of electricity are vividly captured in works like 'High Frequency Oscillators for Electro-Therapeutic and Other Purposes.' These writings demonstrate his belief in the healing potential of electrical phenomena and his pioneering work in the field of electrotherapy. Such articles not only highlight Tesla's scientific talents but also reveal his deep commitment to improving human health and well-being through innovative techniques that bridge science and medicine.
Moreover, Tesla’s thoughts on the ethical dimensions of technological advancement are woven into the fabric of his writings, lending a philosophical depth that prompts contemplation of the moral responsibilities of scientists and inventors. In pieces such as 'The Problem of Increasing Human Energy,' he reflects on the implications of his technologies for societal progress and the need to harness scientific achievement for the greater good. This ethical consideration remains remarkably relevant in today's discourse on technology and its social consequences.
Elements of Tesla's personal experiences and challenges also feature prominently, providing readers with a glimpse into the man behind the inventions. Through his autobiography 'My Inventions,' readers gain insight into his struggles, triumphs, and the visionary spirit that propelled him towards groundbreaking discoveries. These narratives of perseverance serve to humanize Tesla, allowing modern audiences to relate to his journey and the spirit of inquiry that defined his career.
The examination of Tesla's interactions with contemporaries, as discussed in various essays and articles, reveals both the collaborative and competitive nature of scientific advancement during his era. By reflecting on his exchanges with fellow inventors and scientists, readers are invited to consider how innovation often emerges from complex interpersonal dynamics and the importance of dialogue in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery.
Another noteworthy aspect of this collection is Tesla's exploration of wireless technology and its potential to reshape communication and connectivity. Through riveting pieces such as 'Nikola Tesla Sees a Wireless Vision,' Tesla laid the groundwork for many aspects of modern telecommunications. His foresight into wireless transmission underscores the relevance and prescience of his work, which remains foundational to our current technological landscape and continues to inspire new advancements.
As readers delve deeper into Tesla's writings, they will encounter the spirit of inquiry that fueled his experimental approach. His detailed accounts of experiments, such as those found in 'Experiments with Alternate Currents of Very High Frequency,' illustrate not only his technical expertise but also a profound curiosity about the natural world. The spirit of rigorous experimentation and discovery drives the narrative of this anthology and encourages readers to adopt a similar approach to their own explorations.
Tesla's reflections encompass not just scientific pursuits but also broader philosophical musings on nature, existence, and the universe. His essays often bridge the gap between empirical observation and metaphysical contemplation, drawing readers into a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. This philosophical dimension amplifies the significance of Tesla’s work and invites engagement with both the scientific and the spiritual realms of inquiry.
The collection is meticulously curated to ensure that Tesla's most profound ideas are preserved and presented in a coherent manner, providing readers with a seamless journey through his intellectual landscape. Each section is thoughtfully organized, enabling readers to navigate the spectrum of topics Tesla engaged with, from the practical applications of his inventions to his visionary discourses on the future of technology.
In exploring this collection, readers will find themselves immersed in the imaginative and scientific realms that Tesla so passionately articulated. The writings not only inform but also inspire, igniting curiosity about the boundless possibilities that science holds for humanity. This anthology stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Tesla's ideas, which continue to resonate in contemporary discussions on innovation and progress.
In conclusion, we invite you to embark on a journey through 'Tesla: Collected Writings,' where the brilliance of Nikola Tesla awaits to captivate and enlighten. As you delve into each section, you will encounter the vibrant tapestry of his thoughts, inventions, and visions for a future illuminated by electricity. Let this collection be your gateway into the mind of a man who dared to dream of a world transformed by science, ushering in an era of possibility that reverberates to this day.
Author Biography
Introduction
Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was an inventor, electrical engineer, and prolific communicator of scientific ideas whose work transformed modern power and communications. Best known for developing the alternating current (AC) induction motor, the polyphase power system, and the resonant transformer widely called the Tesla coil, he also advanced radio, wireless control, and high‑frequency phenomena. Through celebrated lectures and essays, including his autobiographical series My Inventions, he presented a sweeping vision of electrified industry and global connectivity. Tesla’s practical achievements—from foundational AC patents to high‑voltage demonstrations—helped enable large‑scale power generation and long‑distance transmission, securing a central place for his name in the history of technology.
Education and Literary Influences
Tesla grew up in the Habsburg borderlands of Central Europe and pursued technical schooling before university study. In the late 1870s he attended the Austrian Polytechnic in Graz, focusing on electrical engineering topics, and later followed lectures at the University of Prague. Although he did not take a degree, his training was rigorous and oriented toward mathematics, physics, and emerging electrical practice. Early professional posts in telegraphy and lighting systems in Central Europe provided laboratory‑like exposure to generators, motors, and switchgear, setting the stage for his later innovations in alternating current and high‑frequency apparatus.
As a writer and lecturer, Tesla drew more from scientific discourse than from literary movements. He read widely in technical periodicals and contributed to them, shaping a prose style that blended precise description with expansive, sometimes speculative framing. His public talks followed the tradition of demonstration‑based pedagogy associated with major scientific institutions of the era. While he knew prominent literary figures and moved in cultured circles, the verifiable influences on his writing were chiefly the conventions of engineering lectures and the popular science press, which favored clear exposition, vivid metaphor, and dramatic experimental display.
Literary Career
Tesla arrived in the United States in the mid‑1880s, worked briefly at Edison’s enterprise, and soon founded his own company. In the late 1880s he secured key patents for the AC induction motor and polyphase system, which George Westinghouse licensed. Their adoption helped resolve practical questions around efficient power transmission and motor drive, and contributed to the broader War of Currents. Public demonstrations and exhibitions, notably in the early 1890s, showcased the safety and promise of high‑frequency currents and AC lighting. Alongside patents, Tesla began to publish and lecture, honing a communicative style aimed at both experts and a curious public.
Tesla’s lectures in the early 1890s—before professional societies and at renowned venues in the United States and Europe—cemented his reputation as an explainer of complex electrical effects. He demonstrated high‑frequency, high‑voltage phenomena, wireless illumination, and resonant circuits, using striking visual experiments to make abstract principles tangible. These events were widely reported, expanding his audience beyond engineers. The talks emphasized method as much as result: careful tuning, resonance, and system thinking. The performative dimension—sparks, coils, and fluorescent lamps—served an educational purpose while establishing the imagery that would long define Tesla in the public imagination.
Tesla’s written output ranged from technical notes to essays intended for general readers. The Problem of Increasing Human Energy, published in The Century Magazine in 1900, surveyed energy use, mechanization, and wireless transmission in an ambitious synthesis. Nearly two decades later, he serialized his autobiographical reflections as My Inventions, recounting formative experiences, mental visualization techniques, and laboratory practices. He also contributed to specialized journals, describing apparatus and methods in terms accessible to practitioners. While not a systematizer in the academic mold, he crafted persuasive narratives linking laboratory insight to societal benefit, a style that helped mobilize interest and support for his research.
In the late 1890s and early 1900s, Tesla advanced wireless signaling and control. He publicly demonstrated a radio‑controlled boat and pursued tuned circuits and high‑frequency transmitters. Experiments in Colorado Springs explored large resonant systems, and plans for a World Wireless system coalesced in the Wardenclyffe project on Long Island. Early funding supported construction of a tall transmitting tower, intended for transatlantic telegraphy and other services. Financial and technical challenges, however, curtailed the project. Contemporary reception mixed fascination with skepticism, as newspapers chronicled bold claims while investors weighed uncertain returns. The episode underscored tensions between visionary scope and commercial constraint.
Throughout his career, Tesla navigated competitive patent landscapes and shifting public opinion. He received professional honors, including the Edison Medal in the late 1910s, recognizing his contributions to electrical engineering. Disputes over radio priority persisted, with courts and historians later noting prior art distributed among several inventors, including Tesla. His writings and lectures remained touchstones, cited by supporters and critics alike. Press portrayals sometimes reduced complex projects to spectacle, yet his technical achievements—especially AC power—were broadly acknowledged by peers. By the mid‑20th century, reassessments placed his work firmly within the foundations of modern electrical and communications systems.
Beliefs and Advocacy
Tesla’s stated beliefs centered on the transformative potential of electricity to raise living standards and connect societies. He advocated alternating current as an efficient, scalable means to deliver power, and he emphasized safety through frequency, insulation, and sound engineering practice. His public demonstrations sought to build trust in new technology, and his essays argued for abundant energy as a prerequisite for cultural and economic flourishing. He envisioned global wireless communication—transmission of messages, images, and information without wires—and saw remote control and automation as steps toward reducing drudgery and, he hoped, minimizing the human costs of conflict.
In public forums, Tesla urged sustained investment in research infrastructure, standards, and education. He criticized short‑term commercial thinking that, in his view, constrained ambitious projects, while acknowledging that practical deployment demanded careful engineering and capital. His advocacy took the form of lectures, interviews, and demonstrations intended to persuade both policymakers and the broader public. He guarded priority for his ideas yet shared methods openly on stage to advance understanding. This balance—protecting patents while popularizing principles—reflected a conviction that scientific knowledge should circulate widely, with inventors recognized not only as originators but as teachers of technological possibility.
Final Years & Legacy
After the suspension of Wardenclyffe in the early 1900s, Tesla continued to invent and consult, pursuing, among other devices, a bladeless turbine and refined high‑frequency apparatus. He remained a vivid public figure, delivering interviews and occasional papers, and receiving the Edison Medal in the late 1910s. In the 1930s he announced new concepts in press events that drew attention and debate. Despite intermittent financial difficulty, he maintained a disciplined routine of study and correspondence. Tesla died in New York City in early 1943. Obituaries recognized him as a brilliant, sometimes enigmatic innovator whose ideas had reshaped the electrical age.
Tesla’s long‑term impact is visible in the global AC grid, in radio and wireless techniques, and in the continuing language and tools of resonance and high‑frequency engineering. The international unit of magnetic flux density, the tesla, honors his name, and a museum dedicated to his life and papers in Belgrade preserves a substantial archive for scholars. Popular culture has amplified his image, sometimes blurring lines between documented achievement and legend, yet historians broadly affirm his foundational role in electrification and early wireless. Engineers and entrepreneurs cite his integrative vision—uniting theory, apparatus, and public communication—as a lasting model for innovation.
Historical Context
Nikola Tesla was born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, then part of the Austrian Empire (now Croatia). He came of age amid the Second Industrial Revolution, when rapid advances in manufacturing, transportation and communications were transforming European society. Early exposure to a variety of cultural traditions and the region’s technical schools nurtured his interest in mathematics and physics. In 1884 he emigrated to the United States, where opportunities for inventors were thriving and the race to electrify cities was underway.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rivalries emerged over the best way to distribute electric power. Tesla championed alternating current (AC), arguing that it allowed transmission over greater distances with fewer losses. His patents for AC generators, transformers and motors formed the technical foundation of systems that eventually outperformed the direct-current networks promoted by his contemporary Thomas Edison. The resulting “war of currents” ended with widespread acceptance of AC as the standard for electrical grids, a legacy that endures today.
Tesla’s interests extended beyond machines and patents to questions of how technology could reshape society and human experience. In his essays and lectures he often described nature in terms of energy fields and waves, suggesting that the planet itself might serve as a conductor for transmitting power or information. Though some of his more speculative ideas—such as transmitting electricity without wires on a global scale—were never realized in his lifetime, they anticipated later developments in telecommunications and wireless power research.
Among the many scientists whose work influenced him was Heinrich Hertz, whose laboratory demonstrations of electromagnetic waves in the 1880s confirmed that energy could propagate through space. Inspired by these results, Tesla experimented with high-frequency currents and oscillators. His early demonstrations of wireless lighting and his work on resonant circuits contributed to the understanding of radio-frequency phenomena, even as others moved ahead in commercial radio broadcasting.
Urban growth and industrial expansion created demand for reliable motors, lighting and power distribution. Tesla’s polyphase AC motors and step-down transformers provided practical solutions. He toured factories, electrical exhibits and trade fairs—presenting designs that combined technical precision with an eye for public demonstration. His writings from this period stressed not only efficiency and safety but also electricity’s potential to lift living standards worldwide.
Electrical technology was also being explored for medical and therapeutic uses. Tesla investigated high-frequency currents in animal and tissue experiments, following the era’s interest in “electrotherapy.” While some claimed dramatic benefits, modern assessments find that many early applications were preliminary and lack rigorous clinical proof. Nonetheless, these experiments reflected a broader fascination with electricity’s possible role in health and medicine.
By the turn of the century, the United States had positioned itself as a hub of industrial innovation. Tesla authored articles for popular journals, forecasting long-distance wireless communication, remote control of machines and even ideas for reducing the likelihood of armed conflict by making weapons obsolete. Though he proposed a radio-controlled boat for naval use in 1898 and sketched concepts for powerful defensive systems, none of these plans were deployed on a large scale.
Throughout his career, Tesla engaged in patent disputes and published criticisms of competitors. His disagreements with Thomas Edison over AC versus DC are well documented. Later, when Guglielmo Marconi succeeded in transmitting radio signals across the Atlantic, Tesla’s U.S. patents were ultimately recognized as foundational, though Marconi secured the first practical systems and public acclaim.
Tesla maintained a scientific circle that included academics, engineers and financiers in both Europe and America. He gave presentations to professional societies such as the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, sharing research on resonant circuits, electric generators and high-voltage phenomena. These forums helped bridge theoretical ideas and industrial practice at a time when formal engineering education was expanding.
In popular essays written near the end of his life, he mused about future technologies: wireless power networks, automated transportation, and harnessing renewable resources. Although some predictions proved overly optimistic or remained unrealized, they captured the era’s blend of technological optimism and concern over rapid change.
Social movements of the time—labor reforms, women’s suffrage and growing calls for public access to utilities—shaped Tesla’s vision of electricity as a universal service. He argued that power generation and transmission should benefit all communities rather than only the wealthiest customers, anticipating later debates over public versus private ownership of utilities.
Tesla died in 1943, leaving a portfolio of patents, notebooks and prototype devices. Today his contributions to polyphase AC systems, induction motors and early radio-frequency technology form the backbone of modern power distribution and wireless communications. His work illustrates how the scientific discoveries and industrial demands of his era combined to produce innovations that continue to influence contemporary engineering, energy policy and the ongoing quest for sustainable, globally accessible technology.
Synopsis (Selection)
My Inventions – Autobiography of Nikola Tesla
In this autobiographical work, Tesla recounts his life, intellectual development, and groundbreaking inventions, emphasizing his vision for a future enhanced by electricity.
Lectures
A compilation of Tesla's influential lectures that explore various scientific advancements and theories, focusing on his innovative ideas related to electrical engineering and wireless technology.
A New System of Alternate Current Motors and Transformers
Tesla presents his revolutionary concepts for alternating current motors and transformers, which highlight his insights into the efficient transmission of electrical energy.
Experiments with Alternate Currents of Very High Frequency and Their Application to Methods of Artificial Illumination (Lecture)
This lecture discusses Tesla's experiments with high-frequency alternating currents and their potential applications in innovative lighting technologies.
On Light and Other High Frequency Phenomena
Tesla examines the nature of light and the implications of high-frequency phenomena, proposing new theories and applications for electrical engineering.
On Electricity
A treatise exploring the principles of electricity and its vast potential, reinforcing Tesla's belief in the transformative power of electrical innovations.
My Submarine Destroyer
Tesla outlines his design for a submarine weapon intended to protect against threats at sea, demonstrating his foresight in military technology.
High Frequency Oscillators for Electro-Therapeutic and Other Purposes
This work elaborates on the use of high-frequency oscillators for therapeutic applications, advocating for their benefits in medical treatments.
Scientific Articles
A collection of Tesla's scientific writings, including fundamental principles and experiments in electrical engineering and electromagnetism.
Swinburne's 'Hedgehog' Transformer
Tesla discusses the mechanics and significance of the 'Hedgehog' transformer, providing insights into its design and functionality.
Phenomena of Alternating Currents of Very High Frequency
This article documents Tesla's discoveries about the behavior of high-frequency alternating currents and their broader implications in technology.
Experiments with Alternate Currents of Very High Frequency and Their Application to Methods of Artificial Illumination (Article)
A detailed analysis of Tesla's experiments on high-frequency alternating currents, focusing on their application in various illumination methods.
Alternate Current Electrostatic Induction Apparatus
Tesla describes an innovative apparatus that demonstrates the principles of electrostatic induction using alternating currents.
An Electrolytic Clock
This work describes Tesla's design for an electrolytic clock, showcasing his inventive approach to timekeeping devices.
Electric Discharge in Vacuum Tubes
Tesla investigates the phenomenon of electric discharge in vacuum tubes, contributing to foundational understandings in electronics.
Notes on a Unipolar Dynamo
A brief exploration of Tesla's observations and findings related to unipolar dynamos, highlighting their operational characteristics.
The 'Drehstrom' Patent
Tesla discusses the principles behind his 'Drehstrom' (three-phase) patent, which revolutionized the design of electrical systems and motors.
The Ewing High-Frequency Alternator and Parson's Steam Engine
An exploration of the interaction between high-frequency alternators and steam engines, examining their efficiency and potential.
On the Dissipation of the Electrical Energy of the Hertz Resonator
Tesla addresses the challenges of energy dissipation in Hertz resonators, shedding light on their operational limits.
The Physiological and Other Effects of High Frequency Currents
A study on the physiological impacts and therapeutic uses of high-frequency electrical currents in medical applications.
Nikola Tesla - About His Experiments in Electrical Healing
Tesla relates his research and experiments centered on the healing properties of electrical treatments.
The Age of Electricity
A vision statement discussing the imminent age ushered in by electricity and its transformative effects on society.
The Problem of Increasing Human Energy
Tesla offers insights into enhancing human productivity through electrical innovations and improvements in energy utilization.
Talking with Planets
In this work, Tesla speculates on the potential for communication with extraterrestrial life, grounded in his scientific theories.
Can Bridge the Gap to Mars
Tesla theorizes about establishing communication or transport systems to Mars, reflecting his visionary thinking about space exploration.
Little Aeroplane Progress
Tesla examines advancements in aeronautics, suggesting innovative ideas for future aircraft design.
How to Signal to Mars
This article details Tesla's proposals for signaling methods to potential life on Mars, combining technology with imaginative exploration.
The Transmission of Electric Energy Without Wires
Tesla outlines his groundbreaking vision for wireless energy transmission, anticipating a future of energy accessibility.
The Wonder World to Be Created by Electricity
A contemplative piece on the magical possibilities that electricity holds for transforming our world and lifestyles.
Nikola Tesla Sees a Wireless Vision
Tesla articulates his vision of a future dominated by wireless technology, showcasing his forward-thinking perspectives.
Correction by Mr. Tesla
A brief statement where Tesla clarifies misconceptions about his work and theories in wireless technology.
The True Wireless
Tesla articulates his definition and belief in the essential qualities of true wireless communication technology.
On Roentgen Rays (1)
Tesla introduces his observations on Roentgen rays, foreshadowing his contributions to the field of x-ray technology.
On Roentgen Rays (2) - Latest Results
An update on Tesla's research in Roentgen rays, detailing his latest findings and their implications in medical and scientific fields.
Tesla's Latest Results - He Now Produces Radiographs at a Distance of More Than Forty Feet
This exciting report highlights Tesla's advancements in x-ray production, marking significant progress in radiographic technology.
On Reflected Roentgen Rays
An analysis of the behavior of reflected Roentgen rays, contributing to a deeper understanding of x-ray technology.
On Roentgen Radiations
Tesla discusses the nature of Roentgen radiations and their importance in advancing scientific research and medical practices.
Roentgen Ray Investigations
A collection of investigations by Tesla into the properties and applications of Roentgen rays, enhancing the body of knowledge in radiology.
An Interesting Feature of X-Ray Radiations
Tesla presents intriguing observations about unique characteristics of x-ray radiations, furthering the scientific discourse on their nature.
Roentgen Rays or Streams
Tesla delineates the differences between types of Roentgen rays, expanding the understanding of x-ray phenomena.
On the Roentgen Streams
Further explorations into the nature of Roentgen streams, examining their properties and potential uses in various fields.
On Hurtful Actions of Lenard and Roentgen Tubes
Tesla critiques the limitations and safety concerns associated with Lenard and Roentgen tubes, advocating for safer practices in x-ray experimentation.
On the Source of Roentgen Rays and the Practical Construction and Safe Operation of Lenard Tubes
A comprehensive examination of Roentgen rays' origins and guidelines for constructing Lenard tubes safely.
High Frequency Oscillators for Electro-Therapeutic and Other Purposes (September 1898)
A reiteration of Tesla's findings on high-frequency oscillators, emphasizing their therapeutic and innovative applications.
Tesla Describes His Efforts in Various Fields of Work
Tesla reflects on his diverse research endeavors and projects, illustrating the breadth of his innovative contributions.
Tesla's New Discovery - Capacity of Electrical Conductors is Variable
A significant assertion by Tesla regarding the variable capacity of electrical conductors, challenging established norms in electrical science.
Tesla’s Wireless Light
Tesla reports on his innovations in wireless lighting technology, showcasing his pioneering approach to illumination.
Tuned Lightning
A presentation of Tesla's explorations into the creation of artificial lightning and its practical applications.
Tesla's Wireless Torpedo
Tesla reveals his designs for a wireless torpedo, demonstrating his ingenuity in military technology and remote control systems.
Tesla's Tidal Wave to Make War Impossible
A visionary discussion on how advancements in technology, particularly his own inventions, could fundamentally change the nature of warfare.
Possibilities of Wireless
Tesla discusses the vast and transformative possibilities afforded by wireless technology, foreseeing its impact on communication and energy transmission.
My Apparatus, Says Tesla
Tesla elaborates on various inventions and apparatuses he has developed, detailing their applications and innovative aspects.
Mr. Tesla's Vision
A succinct presentation of Tesla’s overarching vision for the future, rooted in his scientific ideas and inventions.
What Science May Achieve This Year - New Mechanical Principle for Conservation of Energy
Tesla speculates on the scientific advancements expected within the year, particularly in energy conservation technologies.
The Disturbing Influence of Solar Radiation On the Wireless Transmission of Energy
Tesla examines the impact of solar radiation on wireless energy transmission, offering insights into environmental challenges facing future technologies.
How Cosmic Forces Shape Our Destinies
A philosophical exploration by Tesla on the influence of cosmic forces on humanity and their relationship to scientific progress.
Some Personal Recollections
Personal anecdotes and reflections from Tesla's life, providing insight into his experiences and thoughts as a pioneering inventor.
Wonders of the Future
Tesla contemplates the remarkable possibilities of future technologies, driven by scientific advancement and ingenuity.
Electric Drive for Battle Ships
A proposal outlining Tesla's vision for electric-powered battleships, emphasizing their potential advantages over traditional vessels.
A Lighting Machine on Novel Principles
Tesla introduces design concepts for an innovative lighting machine, showcasing his creativity in electrical engineering applications.
Electrical Oscillators
A detailed discussion on the design and function of electrical oscillators, highlighting their importance in various electrical applications.
Letters to Magazine Editors
A collection of Tesla's correspondence with magazine editors, in which he offers insights on various scientific topics and clarifications of misconceptions.
Mr. Nikola Tesla on Alternate Current Motors
Tesla articulates his theories and findings related to alternating current motors, emphasizing their significance in engineering.
The Losses Due to Hysteresis in Transformers
An analytical piece addressing the losses incurred due to hysteresis in transformers and suggesting ways to improve efficiency.
The Tesla Alternate Current Motor
An exposition of Tesla's design for the alternating current motor, detailing its unique features and operational advantages.
Tesla's New Alternating Motors
An exploration into Tesla's latest designs for alternating motors, showcasing advancements in efficiency and application.
Alternate Current Motors
A comprehensive overview of the principles and technologies associated with alternating current motors, solidifying Tesla's contributions to electrical engineering.
Electro-motors
An investigation into electro-motors, covering their operational principles and potential improvements.
Phenomena of Currents of High Frequency
Tesla elaborates on the intriguing phenomena associated with high-frequency currents, contributing to the understanding of electromagnetic theory.
Mr. Tesla on Thermo Electricity
Tesla shares his insights on thermo electricity, discussing its principles and applications within various scientific contexts.
Nicola Tesla Objects
A defense by Tesla against criticisms of his work and theories, emphasizing the validity of his innovations.
The Inventions, Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla
A summary of Tesla's extensive contributions to science and technology, highlighting his enduring legacy in electrical engineering.
Tesla: Collected Writings
My Inventions – Autobiography of Nikola Tesla
I. My Early Life.
The progressive development of man is vitally dependent on invention.[1q] It is the most important product of his creative brain. Its ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing of the forces of nature to human needs. This is the difficult task of the inventor who is often misunderstood and unrewarded. But he finds ample compensation in the pleasing exercises of his powers and in the knowledge of being one of that exceptionally privileged class without whom the race would have long ago perished in the bitter struggle against pitiless elements.
Speaking for myself, I have already had more than my full measure of this exquisite enjoyment, so much that for many years my life was little short of continuous rapture. I am credited with being one of the hardest workers and perhaps I am, if thought is the equivalent of labor, for I have devoted to it almost all of my waking hours. But if work is interpreted to be a definite performance in a specified time according to a rigid rule, then I may be the worst of idlers. Every effort under compulsion demands a sacrifice of life-energy. I never paid such a price. On the contrary, I have thrived on my thoughts.
In attempting to give a connected and faithful account of my activities in this series of articles which will be presented with the assistance of the Editors of the ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTER and are chiefly addrest to our young men readers, I must dwell, however reluctantly, on the impressions of my youth and the circumstances and events which have been instrumental in determining my career.
Our first endeavors are purely instinctive, promptings of an imagination vivid and undisciplined. As we grow older reason asserts itself and we become more and more systematic and designing. But those early impulses, tho not immediately productive, are of the greatest moment and may shape our very destinies. Indeed, I feel now that had I understood and cultivated instead of suppressing them, I would have added substantial value to my bequest to the world. But not until I had attained manhood did I realize that I was an inventor.
This was due to a number of causes. In the first place I had a brother who was gifted to an extraordinary degree—one of those rare phenomena of mentality which biological investigation has failed to explain. His premature death left my parents disconsolate. We owned a horse which had been presented to us by a dear friend. It was a magnificent animal of Arabian breed, possest of almost human intelligence, and was cared for and petted by the whole family, having on one occasion saved my father's life under remarkable circumstances. My father had been called one winter night to perform an urgent duty and while crossing the mountains, infested by wolves, the horse became frightened and ran away, throwing him violently to the ground. It arrived home bleeding and exhausted, but after the alarm was sounded immediately dashed off again, returning to the spot, and before the searching party were far on the way they were met by my father, who had recovered consciousness and remounted, not realizing that he had been lying in the snow for several hours. This horse was responsible for my brother's injuries from which he died. I witnest the tragic scene and altho fifty-six years have elapsed since, my visual impression of it has lost none of its force. The recollection of his attainments made every effort of mine seem dull in comparison.
Anything I did that was creditable merely caused my parents to feel their loss more keenly. So I grew up with little confidence in myself. But I was far from being considered a stupid boy, if I am to judge from an incident of which I have still a strong remembrance. One day the Aldermen were passing thru a street where I was at play with other boys. The oldest of these venerable gentlemen—a wealthy citizen—paused to give a silver piece to each of us. Coming to me he suddenly stopt and commanded, "Look in my eyes." I met his gaze, my hand outstretched to receive the much valued coin, when, to my dismay, he said, "No, not much, you can get nothing from me, you are too smart." They used to tell a funny story about me. I had two old aunts with wrinkled faces, one of them having two teeth protruding like the tusks of an elephant which she buried in my cheek every time she kist me. Nothing would scare me more than the prospect of being hugged by these as affectionate as unattractive relatives. It happened that while being carried in my mother's arms they asked me who was the prettier of the two. After examining their faces intently, I answered thoughtfully, pointing to one of them, "This here is not as ugly as the other."
Then again, I was intended from my very birth for the clerical profession and this thought constantly opprest me. I longed to be an engineer but my father was inflexible. He was the son of an officer who served in the army of the Great Napoleon and, in common with his brother, professor of mathematics in a prominent institution, had received a military education but, singularly enough, later embraced the clergy in which vocation he achieved eminence. He was a very erudite man, a veritable natural philosopher, poet and writer and his sermons were said to be as eloquent as those of Abraham a Sancta-Clara. He had a prodigious memory and frequently recited at length from works in several languages. He often remarked playfully that if some of the classics were lost he could restore them. His style of writing was much admired. He penned sentences short and terse and was full of wit and satire. The humorous remarks he made were always peculiar and characteristic. Just to illustrate, I may mention one or two instances. Among the help there was a cross-eyed man called Mane, employed to do work around the farm. He was chopping wood one day. As he swung the axe my father, who stood nearby and felt very uncomfortable, cautioned him, "For God's sake, Mane, do not strike at what you are looking but at what you intend to hit." On another occasion he was taking out for a drive a friend who carelessly permitted his costly fur coat to rub on the carriage wheel. My father reminded him of it saying, "Pull in your coat, you are ruining my tire." He had the odd habit of talking to himself and would often carry on an animated conversation and indulge in heated argument, changing the tone of his voice. A casual listener might have sworn that several people were in the room.
Altho I must trace to my mother's influence whatever inventiveness I possess, the training he gave me must have been helpful. It comprised all sorts of exercises—as, guessing one another's thoughts, discovering the defects of some form or expression, repeating long sentences or performing mental calculations. These daily lessons were intended to strengthen memory and reason and especially to develop the critical sense, and were undoubtedly very beneficial.
My mother descended from one of the oldest families in the country and a line of inventors. Both her father and grandfather originated numerous implements for household, agricultural and other uses. She was a truly great woman, of rare skill, courage and fortitude, who had braved the storms of life and past thru many a trying experience. When she was sixteen a virulent pestilence swept the country. Her father was called away to administer the last sacraments to the dying and during his absence she went alone to the assistance of a neighboring family who were stricken by the dread disease. All of the members, five in number, succumbed in rapid succession. She bathed, clothed and laid out the bodies, decorating them with flowers according to the custom of the country and when her father returned he found everything ready for a Christian burial. My mother was an inventor of the first order and would, I believe, have achieved great things had she not been so remote from modern life and its multifold opportunities. She invented and constructed all kinds of tools and devices and wove the finest designs from thread which was spun by her. She even planted the seeds, raised the plants and separated the fibers herself. She worked indefatigably, from break of day till late at night, and most of the wearing apparel and furnishings of the home was the product of her hands. When she was past sixty, her fingers were still nimble enough to tie three knots in an eyelash.
There was another and still more important reason for my late awakening. In my boyhood I suffered from a peculiar affliction due to the appearance of images, often accompanied by strong flashes of light, which marred the sight of real objects and interfered with my thought and action. They were pictures of things and scenes which I had really seen, never of those I imagined. When a word was spoken to me the image of the object it designated would present itself vividly to my vision and sometimes I was quite unable to distinguish whether what I saw was tangible or not. This caused me great discomfort and anxiety. None of the students of psychology or physiology whom I have consulted could ever explain satisfactorily these phenomena. They seem to have been unique altho I was probably predisposed as I know that my brother experienced a similar trouble. The theory I have formulated is that the images were the result of a reflex action from the brain on the retina under great excitation. They certainly were not hallucinations such as are produced in diseased and anguished minds, for in other respects I was normal and composed. To give an idea of my distress, suppose that I had witnest a funeral or some such nerve-racking spectacle. Then, inevitably, in the stillness of night, a vivid picture of the scene would thrust itself before my eyes and persist despite all my efforts to banish it. Sometimes it would even remain fixt in space tho I pushed my hand thru it. If my explanation is correct, it should be able to project on a screen the image of any object one conceives and make it visible. Such an advance would revolutionize all human relations. I am convinced that this wonder can and will be accomplished in time to come; I may add that I have devoted much thought to the solution of the problem.
To free myself of these tormenting appearances, I tried to concentrate my mind on something else I had seen, and in this way I would of ten obtain temporary relief; but in order to get it I had to conjure continuously new images. It was not long before I found that I had exhausted all of those at my command; my "reel" had run out, as it were, because I had seen little of the world—only objects in my home and the immediate surroundings. As I performed these mental operations for the second or third time, in order to chase the appearances from my vision, the remedy gradually lost all its force. Then I instinctively commenced to make excursions beyond the limits of the small world of which I had knowledge, and I saw new scenes. These were at first very blurred and indistinct, and would flit away when I tried to concentrate my attention upon them, but by and by I succeeded in fixing them; they gained in strength and distinctness and finally assumed the concreteness of real things. I soon discovered that my best comfort was attained if I simply went on in my vision farther and farther, getting new impressions all the time, and so I began to travel—of course, in my mind. Every night (and sometimes during the day), when alone, I would start on my journeys—see new places, cities and countries—live there, meet people and make friendships and acquaintances and, however unbelievable, it is a fact that they were just as dear to me as those in actual life and not a bit less intense in their manifestations.
This I did constantly until I was about seventeen when my thoughts turned seriously to invention. Then I observed to my delight that I could visualize with the greatest facility. I needed no models, drawings or experiments. I could picture them all as real in my mind. Thus I have been led unconsciously to evolve what I consider a new method of materializing inventive concepts and ideas, which is radically opposite to the purely experimental and is in my opinion ever so much more expeditious and efficient. The moment one constructs a device to carry into practise a crude idea he finds himself unavoidably engrost with the details and defects of the apparatus. As he goes on improving and reconstructing, his force of concentration diminishes and he loses sight of the great underlying principle. Results may be obtained but always at the sacrifice of quality.
My method is different. I do not rush into actual work. When I get an idea I start at once building it up in my imagination. I change the construction, make improvements and operate the device in my mind. It is absolutely immaterial to me whether I run my turbine in thought or test it in my shop. I even note if it is out of balance. There is no difference whatever, the results are the same. In this way I am able to rapidly develop and perfect a conception without touching anything. When I have gone so far as to embody in the invention every possible improvement I can think of and see no fault anywhere, I put into concrete form this final product of my brain. Invariably my device works as I conceived that it should, and the experiment comes out exactly as I planned it. In twenty years there has not been a single exception. Why should it be otherwise? Engineering, electrical and mechanical, is positive in results. There is scarcely a subject that cannot be mathematically treated and the effects calculated or the results determined beforehand from the available theoretical and practical data. The carrying out into practise of a crude idea as is being generally done is, I hold, nothing but a waste of energy, money and time.
My early affliction had, however, another compensation. The incessant mental exertion developed my powers of observation and enabled me to discover a truth of great importance. I had noted that the appearance of images was always preceded by actual vision of scenes under peculiar and generally very exceptional conditions and I was impelled on each occasion to locate the original impulse. After a while this effort grew to be almost automatic and I gained great facility in connecting cause and effect. Soon I became aware, to my surprise, that every thought I conceived was suggested by an external impression. Not only this but all my actions were prompted in a similar way. In the course of time it became perfectly evident to me that I was merely an automaton endowed with power of movement, responding to the stimuli of the sense organs and thinking and acting accordingly. The practical result of this was the art of telautomatics which has been so far carried out only in an imperfect manner. Its latent possibilities will, however, be eventually shown. I have been since years planning self-controlled automata and believe that mechanisms can be produced which will act as if possest of reason, to a limited degree, and will create a revolution in many commercial and industrial departments.
I was about twelve years old when I first succeeded in banishing an image from my vision by wilful effort, but I never had any control over the flashes of light to which I have referred. They were, perhaps, my strangest experience and inexplicable. They usually occurred when I found myself in a dangerous or distressing situation, or when I was greatly exhilarated. In some instances I have seen all the air around me filled with tongues of living flame. Their intensity, instead of diminishing, increased with time and seemingly attained a maximum when I was about twenty-five years old. While in Paris, in 1883, a prominent French manufacturer sent me an invitation to a shooting expedition which I accepted. I had been long confined to the factory and the fresh air had a wonderfully invigorating effect on me. On my return to the city that night I felt a positive sensation that my brain had caught fire. I saw a light as tho a small sun was located in it and I past the whole night applying cold compressions to my tortured head. Finally the flashes diminished in frequency and force but it took more than three weeks before they wholly subsided. When a second invitation was extended to me my answer was an emphatic NO!
These luminous phenomena still manifest themselves from time to time, as when a new idea opening up possibilities strikes me, but they are no longer exciting, being of relatively small intensity. When I close my eyes I invariably observe first, a background of very dark and uniform blue, not unlike the sky on a clear but starless night. In a few seconds this field becomes animated with innumerable scintillating flakes of green, arranged in several layers and advancing towards me. Then there appears, to the right, a beautiful pattern of two systems of parallel and closely spaced lines, at right angles to one another, in all sorts of colors with yellow-green and gold predominating. Immediately thereafter the lines grow brighter and the whole is thickly sprinkled with dots of twinkling light. This picture moves slowly across the field of vision and in about ten seconds vanishes to the left, leaving behind a ground of rather unpleasant and inert grey which quickly gives way to a billowy sea of clouds, seemingly trying to mould themselves in living shapes. It is curious that I cannot project a form into this grey until the second phase is reached. Every time, before falling asleep, images of persons or objects flit before my view. When I see them I know that I am about to lose consciousness. If they are absent and refuse to come it means a sleepless night.
To what an extent imagination played a part in my early life I may illustrate by another odd experience. Like most children I was fond of jumping and developed an intense desire to support myself in the air. Occasionally a strong wind richly charged with oxygen blew from the mountains rendering my body as light as cork and then I would leap and float in space for a long time. It was a delightful sensation and my disappointment was keen when later I undeceived myself.
During that period I contracted many strange likes, dislikes and habits, some of which I can trace to external impressions while others are unaccountable. I had a violent aversion against the earrings of women but other ornaments, as bracelets, pleased me more or less according to design. The sight of a pearl would almost give me a fit but I was fascinated with the glitter of crystals or objects with sharp edges and plane surfaces. I would not touch the hair of other people except, perhaps, at the point of a revolver. I would get a fever by looking at a peach and if a piece of camphor was anywhere in the house it caused me the keenest discomfort. Even now I am not insensible to some of these upsetting impulses. When I drop little squares of paper in a dish filled with liquid, I always sense a peculiar and awful taste in my mouth. I counted the steps in my walks and calculated the cubical contents of soup plates, coffee cups and pieces of food—otherwise my meal was unenjoyable. All repeated acts or operations I performed had to be divisible by three and if I mist I felt impelled to do it all over again, even if it took hours.
Up to the age of eight years, my character was weak and vacillating. I had neither courage or strength to form a firm resolve. My feelings came in waves and surges and vibrated unceasingly between extremes. My wishes were of consuming force and like the heads of the hydra, they multiplied. I was opprest by thoughts of pain in life and death and religious fear. I was swayed by superstitious belief and lived in constant dread of the spirit of evil, of ghosts and ogres and other unholy monsters of the dark. Then, all at once, there came a tremendous change which altered the course of my whole existence. Of all things I liked books the best. My father had a large library and whenever I could manage I tried to satisfy my passion for reading. He did not permit it and would fly into a rage when he caught me in the act. He hid the candles when he found that I was reading in secret. He did not want me to spoil my eyes. But I obtained tallow, made the wicking and cast the sticks into tin forms, and every night I would bush the keyhole and the cracks and read, often till dawn, when all others slept and my mother started on her arduous daily task. On one occasion I came across a novel entitled "Abafi" (the Son of Aba), a Serbian translation of a well known Hungarian writer, Josika. This work somehow awakened my dormant powers of will and I began to practise self-control. At first my resolutions faded like snow in April, but in a little while I conquered my weakness and felt a pleasure I never knew before—that of doing as I willed. In the course of time this vigorous mental exercise became second nature. At the outset my wishes had to be subdued but gradually desire and will grew to be identical. After years of such discipline I gained so complete a mastery over myself that I toyed with passions which have meant destruction to some of the strongest men. At a certain age I contracted a mania for gambling which greatly worried my parents. To sit down to a game of cards was for me the quintessence of pleasure. My father led an exemplary life and could not excuse the senseless waste of time and money in which I indulged. I had a strong resolve but my philosophy was bad. I would say to him, "I can stop whenever I please but is it worth while to give up that which I would purchase with the joys of Paradise?" On frequent occasions he gave vent to his anger and contempt but my mother was different. She understood the character of men and knew that one's salvation could only be brought about thru his own efforts. One afternoon, I remember, when I had lost all my money and was craving for a game, she came to me with a roll of bills and said, "Go and enjoy yourself. The sooner you lose all we possess the better it will be. I know that you will get over it." She was right. I conquered my passion then and there and only regretted that it had not been a hundred times as strong. I not only vanquished but tore it from my heart so as not to leave even a trace of desire. Ever since that time I have been as indifferent to any form of gambling as to picking teeth.
During another period I smoked excessively, threatening to ruin my health. Then my will asserted itself and I not only stopt but destroyed all inclination. Long ago I suffered from heart trouble until I discovered that it was due to the innocent cup of coffee I consumed every morning. I discontinued at once, tho I confess it was not an easy task. In this way I checked and bridled other habits and passions and have not only preserved my life but derived an immense amount of satisfaction from what most men would consider privation and sacrifice.
After finishing the studies at the Polytechnic Institute and University I had a complete nervous breakdown and while the malady lasted I observed many phenomena strange and unbelievable.
II. My First Efforts At Invention
I shall dwell briefly on these extraordinary experiences, on account of their possible interest to students of psychology and physiology and also because this period of agony was of the greatest consequence on my mental development and subsequent labors. But it is indispensable to first relate the circumstances and conditions which preceded them and in which might be found their partial explanation.
From childhood I was compelled to concentrate attention upon myself. This caused me much suffering but, to my present view, it was a blessing in disguise for it has taught me to appreciate the inestimable value of introspection in the preservation of life, as well as a means of achievement. The pressure of occupation and the incessant stream of impressions pouring into our consciousness thru all the gateways of knowledge make modern existence hazardous in many ways. Most persons are so absorbed in the contemplation of the outside world that they are wholly oblivious to what is passing on within themselves.
The premature death of millions is primarily traceable to this cause. Even among those who exercise care it is a common mistake to avoid imaginary, and ignore the real dangers. And what is true of an individual also applies, more or less, to a people as a whole. Witness, in illustration, the prohibition movement. A drastic, if not unconstitutional, measure is now being put thru in this country to prevent the consumption of alcohol and yet it is a positive fact that coffee, tea, tobacco, chewing gum and other stimulants, which are freely indulged in even at the tender age, are vastly more injurious to the national body, judging from the number of those who succumb. So, for instance, during my student years I gathered from the published necrologues in Vienna, the home of coffee drinkers, that deaths from heart trouble sometimes reached sixty-seven per cent of the total. Similar observations might probably be made in cities where the consumption of tea is excessive. These delicious beverages superexcite and gradually exhaust the fine fibers of the brain. They also interfere seriously with arterial circulation and should be enjoyed all the more sparingly as their deleterious effects are slow and imperceptible. Tobacco, on the other hand, is conducive to easy and pleasant thinking and detracts from the intensity and concentration necessary to all original and vigorous effort of the intellect. Chewing gum is helpful for a short while but soon drains the glandular system and inflicts irreparable damage, not to speak of the revulsion it creates. Alcohol in small quantities is an excellent tonic, but is toxic in its action when absorbed in larger amounts, quite immaterial as to whether it is taken in as whiskey or produced in the stomach from sugar. But it should not be overlooked that all these are great eliminators assisting Nature, as they do, in upholding her stern but just law of the survival of the fittest. Eager reformers should also be mindful of the eternal perversity of mankind which makes the indifferent "laissez-faire" by far preferable to enforced restraint.
The truth about this is that we need stimulants to do our best work under present living conditions, and that we must exercise moderation and control our appetites and inclinations in every direction. That is what I have been doing for many years, in this way maintaining myself young in body and mind. Abstinence was not always to my liking but I find ample reward in the agreeable experiences I am now making. Just in the hope of converting some to my precepts and convictions I will recall one or two.
