Inventions
Induction Motor
Tesla came up with the principles of rotating magnetic fields in 1882 and used this to invent the first induction motor. An induction motor is a "type of electric motor in which alternating current from a power source is fed through a primary winding and induces a current in a secondary winding, with the parts arranged so that the resulting magnetic field causes a movable rotor to rotate with respect to a fixedstator."(10) Together he was able to accomplish a long distance alternating current electrical transmission system in 1888. That same year he developed the principles for his Tesla coil. These principles and patents are still used in our current AC systems and our polyphase power distribution system.
Radio
At the National Electric Light Association of 1893 Nikola Tesla generated an AC current using a conical Tesla coil (explain tesla coil) which allowed for the transmission of electromagnetic energy without wires, in essence the first radio transmitter was created (Dinsdale). This showed that radio signals were just another frequency that needed a transmitter and receiver (DiLallos). Tesla applied for two patents in 1897 surrounding radio signal technology which the U.S Patent office granted in 1900. In “The 10 Inventions of Nikola Tesla that changed the world” Nikolas West explains that in 1904 the U.S Patent office revoked their decision and awarded Marconi with a patent for the inventions of radio.
Remote Control
From Tesla’s discovery of radio signals and application of this to radio transmitters he was then able to craft a portable version of the transmitter, inventing the first remote control. Tesla demonstrated a radio controlled boat to the U.S military in 1897. Tesla believed the U.S military would be interested and want things such as but not limited to radio controlled torpedoes. From this Tesla introduced the “Art of Telautomatics,” which is a form of robotics (Dinsdale). In 1898 Tesla showed off a radio controlled boat to the public during the electrical exhibition at Madison Square Garden. He used switches controlled by radio signals and large batteries which powered the boat’s running lights, propeller, and rudder (West), this was another display of his wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy (Dinsdale). This technology was so ahead of its time that the audience witnessing the historic event thought tesla was controlling the boat with his mind, magic, or that Tesla had trained monkeys to run the boat from the inside (DiLallos). His wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy utilizing radio signals paved the way for remote controlled model airplanes, helicopters, and the expanded use of drones in the military.
Wireless Communications
“When wireless is perfectly applied the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain, which in fact it is…. We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this, but through television and telephony we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though were face to face, despite intervening distances of thousands of miles; and the instruments through which we shall be able to do this will be amazingly simple compared with our present telephone. A man will be able to carry one in his vest pocket.”
Nikola Tesla