Nikola Tesla A great Feminist and Inventor of Alternating Current
“This struggle of the human female toward sex equality will end in a new sex order, with the female as superior… It is not in the shallow physical imitation of men that women will assert first their equality and later their superiority, but in the awakening of the intellect of women”.
Birth of Nikola Tesla
Born on July 10, 1856, in the remote village of Smiljan, now in Croatia, Nikola Tesla was the fourth of five children. His father, Milutin Tesla, was an Orthodox priest, and his mother, Đuka Mandic, was an inventive homemaker. She crafted household appliances. Tesla inherited his mother’s ingenuity and his father’s erudition.
Signs of Brilliance and Sharp Memory
From a young age, Tesla showed signs of brilliance. He could memorize entire books and store logarithmic tables in his mind. His extraordinary memory was a constant companion throughout his life, aiding him in his numerous inventions.
Inventions
Tesla’s journey into the world of inventions began with a simple waterwheel. As a child, he was fascinated by the power of water and created his own tiny waterwheels and turbines. This early interest in energy and electricity foreshadowed his future contributions to the field.
Graduation
In 1870, Tesla graduated from the ‘Higher Real Gymnasium’ in Karlovac, completing the four-year course in just three years. His intelligence was evident, but so was his vulnerability.
Gambling
He developed a gambling addiction during his time at the ‘Austrian Polytechnic’ in Graz, which affected his studies.
Move to USA and influencers
Despite these challenges, Tesla’s passion for invention remained undeterred. He moved to the United States in 1884.
Tesla worked for Thomas Edison when he first arrived in New York in 1884. Although their relationship was short-lived due to differing views, Tesla’s time at Edison’s Manhattan headquarters was a significant period in his career.
Tesla’s most fruitful collaboration was with George Westinghouse. Westinghouse was impressed by Tesla’s work on the alternating current (AC) system and hired him to further develop it. Their partnership led to the construction of the world’s first hydro-electric power plant at Niagara Falls.
Tesla also had interactions with other notable figures of his time. He worked with J.P. Morgan, a wealthy financier, to set up a laboratory in Long Island, New York. Tesla also had a brief association with Guglielmo Marconi, another famous inventor of his time.
Spirituality:
In addition to his scientific work, Tesla had a deep interest in spirituality and metaphysics. He had a unique and radical approach to research, often blending science with spiritual concepts. His discussions with Swami Vivekananda, a renowned spiritual leader, reflect his interest in the spiritual realm.
Tesla’s astral projection experience, where he claimed to have traveled outside his physical body, is a testament to his spiritual explorations. This experience holds great spiritual significance and sheds light on the mysterious relationship between science and spirituality.
Most Significant Contribution
Tesla’s most significant contribution was the development of the alternating current (AC) electrical system. This system, which is still in use today, revolutionized the way electricity is transmitted over long distances.
Facination with Numbers
Tesla’s fascination with numbers, particularly 3, 6, and 9, added an element of mystique to his persona. He believed these numbers held a special significance, although the exact nature of this significance remains a topic of debate.
Personal Life
Nikola Tesla led a life of celibacy, dedicating his entire life to scientific work. He was known to be quite attractive in his youth, with his tall stature, well-educated demeanor, and soft-spoken nature drawing the attention of many women. However, he avoided romantic encounters and anything that would lead into romance as thoroughly as other people sought for it.
While Tesla did not have a wife or children, he had a deep affection for his mother and sisters. He idolized his mother and admired his sisters for their intellectual accomplishments. He often regretted that his mother had not been born in an environment where she could have expressed her various creative talents.
On women
Despite his avoidance of romantic relationships, Tesla did not become a misogynist. He idealized women and believed in their intellectual capabilities.
He once stated, “This struggle of the human female toward sex equality will end in a new sex order, with the female as superior… It is not in the shallow physical imitation of men that women will assert first their equality and later their superiority, but in the awakening of the intellect of women”.
Last Years
Tesla’s later years were marked by financial struggles. He lived in a hotel room in New York City, working on new inventions even as his energy and mental health faded. He spent his days feeding pigeons in the park and his nights working on mathematical equations. In his later years, Tesla developed a deep connection with a white pigeon that visited him regularly. He reportedly said, “I loved that pigeon as a man loves a woman, and she loved me. As long as I had her, there was a purpose to my life”. Tesla passed away on January 7, 1943, leaving behind a legacy of innovation that continues to inspire scientists and engineers today. His life, marked by brilliance, resilience, and a touch of eccentricity, remains a testament to the power of human ingenuity. Despite his solitary personal life, Tesla’s unique blend of science and spirituality, along with his associations with other inventors, made him a truly remarkable figure in history.
