Nikola Tesla

[Yorkie]

I read an interesting book about Tesla, which focused on both the trials and tribulations of his personal and business life, and  his technical achievements.

Most members of the public will know who Marconi was and what he became famous for - far fewer will have heard of Tesla.

The title was perhaps a bit OTT in crediting Tesla as 'the man who invented the 20th Century', in the same way that Marconi is often mistakenly portrayed as 'the man who invented radio':  

The full title of the book is: "The Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century: Nikola Tesla, Forgotten Genius of Electricity".  

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Man-Invented...op?ie=UTF8

I found it an interesting book, though so much has been written about Tesla that it doesn't contain any hitherto unknown facts.

It's had generally good reviews on Amazon, but one negative review amused me:

Quote:

Typing errors and confusing way the history is presented.

Could have been more entertaining considering the great subject matter and not just a history book.

I finished reading the book and through it in the bin.

Unquote.

Huh? He criticises 'typos' in the book then he 'through' it in the bin, yet didn't check his own three line review for errors!

Back in 1984, pop synth band 'Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark' (AKA 'OMD') had a minor hit with their song 'Tesla Girls'.

The video was slammed for being 'sexist' but was intended as a 'mickey take'  aimed at the American market.

Andy McCluskey, lead singer of OMD, believed that shallow American music videos relied heavily on attractive young female models posing and preening in front of the camera. Not many get 'irony' so the video backfired as 'sexist', but if you bother to watch the it, you'll see that all of the girls at some point operate equipment which relies on electricity and has a connection to Tesla - electric lights, clocks, clock radios, 'fridges, toasters, cookers, vacuum cleaners, microphones, telephones, typewriters. (Relying on motors, relays, fans, solenoids, heating elements, inductors, electro magnets, etc.). Quite a lot to squeeze into a 3 minute video.  The lyrics too refer to 'electric chairs and dynamos'.

I doubt that the critics even knew who Tesla was.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH7MwYBdSvM

OMD also nodded to Tesla with their song ‘Electricity’.

Considering subsequent concerns about global warming and non-renewable carbon fuels in the ensuing 36 years since the song was a minor hit for OMD, the lyrics were quite farsighted and prophetic:

Our one source of energy
The ultimate discovery
Electric blue for me
Never more to be free
Electricity
Nuclear and HEP
Carbon fuels from the sea
Wasted electricity

Our one source of energy
Electricity
All we need to live today
A gift for man to throw away
The chance to change has nearly gone
The alternative is only one
The final source of energy
Solar electricity

Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
Electricity
E . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zkMARyxPXw

Mumbled Yorkie, going 'off piste' again.