Nikola Tesla Born
Nikola Tesla was born in Smiljan, Serbia, and would go on to invent alternating current electricity
July 10, 1856
The Inventor Who Lit the World
Nikola Tesla was born on July 10, 1856 in Smiljan, a small village in what is now Croatia, then part of the Austrian Empire. From an early age he demonstrated an extraordinary memory, could perform complex mathematical calculations in his head, and spoke several languages. He studied engineering in Austria and physics in Prague before working for a telegraph company in Budapest. In 1882, he developed the concept for an alternating current (AC) induction motor — a breakthrough he had been thinking about for years.
The War of Currents
Tesla moved to New York in 1884 and briefly worked for Thomas Edison, who championed direct current (DC) for electrical distribution. Tesla favored alternating current, which could be transmitted over longer distances at lower cost. After leaving Edison, Tesla partnered with inventor and businessman George Westinghouse. Their AC system competed fiercely with Edison's DC — a rivalry known as the "War of Currents." AC ultimately won because it was more practical for powering cities. Today, every standard electrical outlet uses alternating current.
A Legacy Finally Recognized
Tesla held over 300 patents and made contributions to radio, radar, X-ray technology, remote control, and wireless transmission of energy. Despite his genius, he died alone and nearly broke in a New York hotel room in 1943. History was slow to recognize his contributions — Edison received far more credit and financial reward during their lifetimes. Today, Tesla is rightly celebrated as one of the most important inventors in history, and the electric car company bearing his name has brought his legacy to a new generation. Check our age calculator to see how long ago Tesla was born.