Nikola Tesla

[Nowhere-Man]

I only very recently started to delve into the life and work of Nikola Tesla. I must confess I was really astounded by his life and career. There has been quite a degree of speculation about Tesla that suggests he was so far ahead of his time that some of his work may be advanced even by modern standards.

There is a good argument for the case that the father of radio was Tesla and not Marconi. Not to forget the work of the Russian Alexander Popov, of course.

I have to wonder also whether the director of the movie "Contact" with Jodie Foster may have been inspired by Tesla.

[Alan Douglas]

The only worthwhile biography is by Bernard Carlson. He went back to original sources instead of repeating all the rubbish from previous biographers.

[Joe]

Thank's for the tip, Alan. I've been reading one by Marc B Seifer but have given-up on it as it seems to be purely about Tesla the man and very little about his works. He (Tesla) certainly seem to prove how thin is the line between genius and lunacy.

I haven't watched them but there are several full-length documentaries about him on YouTube.

I've now started on Geoff Emerick's 'autobiography.' I use quotation marks as it's ghosted by a North-American and clearly written for that market. Nobody 'Graduates' from school in this country, and certainly not from Secondary Moderns.

— Joe

[ppppenguin]

Separating myth from reality has always been difficult with Tesla. His outstanding and very real achievement was the 3 phase power system with the associated motors and generators, though his name is not always associated with this. There was also a load of stuff that was dubious at best. He promoted himself as some kind of latter day Prometheus which only helped to enhance the myths at the expense of reality.

[Joe]

The other problem with a lot of these books is that they aren't written by people who really know the technical side. The usual story seems to be that motors used to use DC and were inefficient as they needed a commutator and brushes. Tesla then invented the induction motor, which didn't, and they all lived happily ever after. They say nothing of the fact that DC motors are still in use over a century on, even though a lot are Universal ones running on AC.

— Joe

[Alan Douglas]

There is a lot of technical detail in Carlson's account. I was just browsing through the chapter on the Niagara Falls plant, which even goes into the reasons Tesla suggested two-phase for that installation even though he had previously worked with three. Carlson devotes 18 pages to that chapter; Seifer 6.

[Radio Fixer]

Thanks Alan, I have the Seifer and have just ordered the one by Carlson.

Gary

[Nowhere-Man]

I can't help but be very curious about the SETI aspect. Also some of the writings of Tesla that tie in with Einstein's views, I think. Plus the mention of the Aurora Borealis where the earth magnetic field has had certain effects noted by some HAM Radio operators. I have a good documentary about radio and the Aurora Borealis.

[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.

[ppppenguin]

One thing Tesla is remembered for today is his eponymous coil. Capable of some spectacular effects.

There is also Tesla the electric car company.