HISTORY This Week Tesla Electrifies the World
Feb 24, 2025
In this discussion, Mark Seifer, author of "Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla," shares captivating insights about Nikola Tesla's groundbreaking 1893 demonstration at the Franklin Institute, where he showcased wireless power. The podcast delves into Tesla's fierce rivalry with Thomas Edison and highlights his ambitious plans for wireless energy transmission. Seifer also explores Tesla's visionary ideas, such as remote-controlled technology and his belief in extraterrestrial signals, framing Tesla as a misunderstood genius whose impact is felt even today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Tesla's Electrifying Lecture
- Nikola Tesla, a visionary inventor, gave a captivating lecture at the Franklin Institute in 1893.
- He performed stunning electrical demonstrations, including shooting sparks from his hands and lighting up lightbulbs wirelessly.
Tesla and Edison
- Tesla arrived in New York City with minimal funds, but a crucial letter of recommendation for Thomas Edison.
- Their collaboration eventually turned into rivalry, known as the "War of the Currents."
War of the Currents
- Edison and Tesla clashed over direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC).
- AC proved superior for long-distance transmission, ultimately shaping the future of electricity distribution.