The Story of Nikola Tesla: A Visionary Inventor
Nikola Tesla was born in 1856 in a village in modern-day Croatia. From a young age, he had a very creative and inventive mind. He studied engineering and physics, and he dreamed of building a new type of machine that would use alternating current (AC) to power the world. He was a **visionary**, meaning he could see the future of technology long before others.
In 1884, Tesla moved to New York City to work with Thomas Edison. At the time, Edison was a famous inventor who used direct current (DC) to power his inventions. However, DC could not travel long distances easily. Tesla believed that AC was a better and more efficient way to send electricity. This led to a famous rivalry, often called the "War of Currents."
Tesla left Edison's company and started his own laboratory. There, he invented the **AC induction motor**, which is the basis for most electric motors used today. He also invented the **Tesla coil**, a machine that can produce high-voltage electricity and is still used in radio technology and television sets.
Despite his brilliant inventions, Tesla was not very good at business. He often gave away his ideas and did not become a rich man. He was more interested in science and humanity than in money. He had a unique personality and was known for his strange habits, like being a germaphobe and counting his steps. He spent his later years in poverty, but his ideas lived on.
Today, we can see Tesla's legacy all around us. The electricity in our homes and cities, the motors in our cars and appliances, and even our wireless technology are all built on his ideas. He is considered one of the most important inventors in history, and a true **pioneer** of the modern electrical world.
Vocabulary List
These words will help you understand the story. Tap the speaker to hear each word.
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visionary
A person with original and creative ideas about the future.
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inventive
Having the ability to create new things.
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alternating current (AC)
Electric current that changes direction regularly.
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direct current (DC)
Electric current that flows in only one direction.
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rivalry
Competition for the same thing or against the same person.
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efficient
Working in a way that produces the most with the least amount of effort.
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laboratory
A room or building used for scientific experiments.
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induction motor
A type of electric motor powered by alternating current.
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coil
A length of wire wound into a spiral or circle.
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high-voltage
Using or producing a powerful amount of electricity.
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personality
The qualities that make a person unique.
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germaphobe
A person who has a fear of germs.
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poverty
The state of being extremely poor.
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legacy
Something that is a result of something from the past.
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pioneer
A person who is one of the first to do something.
Comprehension Questions
Answer these questions about the story of Nikola Tesla.
- What did Nikola Tesla dream of building from a young age?
- What was the main difference between AC and DC electricity?
- Name two of Tesla's most famous inventions.
- Why did Tesla not become a rich man?
- How do we still see Tesla's legacy in the world today?