How We Powered The World in the 1890's, Tribute To Nikola Tesla.
I wish to share another reference source from the period, with focus on the works of Nikola Tesla and wholesale electric power generation and use.
Who?
As you set at your desk, lean back and look up at the fluorescent lights in the 2x4 ceiling grid, Tesla invented those bulbs before 1900. Whilst Edison was tinkering with incandescent light bulbs and wires, Tesla was just down the street wielding the tube lights and demonstrating them lighting his Laboratory via WIRELESS power.
Tesla's research also formed the foundation of the entire AC Electrical generating and motor industry via numerous core patents. This foundation of patents was put into practice in partnership with George Westinghouse and via the Westinghouse Electric Company lit and powers our world with the same technology to this day. As a side bar we might as well make note that Edison in collaboration with General Electric was advocating DC power. They failed for fundamental Engineering reasons, DC power can't be efficiently transported distances. AC can not only be transported great distances, but the phases, frequencies and voltages can be stepped up for transport, then stepped back to usage levels enabling more efficient movement of the electricity over great distance.
The Westinghouse Electric Company also won the contract to design and provide hardware for the Hydroelectric Plant at Niagara Falls.
You may begin to get the idea that the entire foundation of the Electric Power Industry in the US can be traced back to one man, Nikola Tesla. World wide too, below are some British patent references.
For the fans of this man, it is nearly impossible to get hands on good quality resource materials. Most common resource material is 2nd and 3rd hand stories of older sources. Electrical Engineering periodicals of the time are available but you have to work fairly hard to find then. Upon Tesla's death, legend had it much of his personal papers were seized by both the US and Russian governments (Tesla immigrated from Croatia as a young adult) and to this day people sspect there are papers that remain under top-secret status. You see at the turn of the century (2 turns ago), legend had it that Tesla was also meddling with directed energy beams - potential weapons. To this day the frequencies Tesla researched over 100 years ago boggle the mind.
The US Supreme Court also recognized post humously that Tesla indeed invented the modern radio, and that Marconi's work was actually infringements on Tesla patents.
If all this seems to bothersome and not up your alley, I understand - look below for some real cool pictures well over 110 years old.
For the folks who know of this great man of our history, and for those who may want to learn more of him, I offer the following: (thanks guys)
Continued, specific to Tesla:
Westinghouse and Tesla power and light the Chicago Exposition in 1893:
Westinghouse and Tesla build the Hydroelectric Plant at Niagara Falls in 1895:
