Nikola Tesla: harnessing electricity

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. First Inventions

An Uneasy Childhood

Mysterious Force

Inventive Boy

Strange Illnesses

Understanding Electricity

Michael Faraday's Generator: The First Source of Steady Electricity

A Rejected Improvement

Conquering an Addiction

The AC Induction Motor

Young Man in Paris

2. A New Home

Difficult Journey

DC versus AC

Conflicting Personalities

Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931): The Wizard of Menlo Park

Shaky Starts in Business

Westinghouse

3. The War of the Currents

Dueling Accusations

The Electric Chair

The Tesla Coil

A Fateful Decision

A Wave of Successes

Landmark Lectures

The Basics of Radio

Tesla at the Columbian Exposition

The Columbian Exposition

4. Waterfall of Power

Harnessing Niagara

A Peak of Fame

Disaster and Triumph

Champion of Renewable Energy

An Emerging Rival

Accidental Earthquake

Robot Boat

New Plans

5. Towers of Dreams

Mysterious Laboratory

Standing Waves

Blackout

Message from Space

Martian Fever

A New Supporter

Wardenclyffe

Years of Frustration

Bladeless Turbine

6. Death Ray

Failures and Successes

Disappointments

The Edison Medal

End of a Dream

Testa's Vision of the Future

A Unique Love

Flivver Planes and Deadly Rays

Radar

Death of a Lonely Man

Government Mysteries

Enduring Legacy

Conclusion

Chronology

Glossary

Further Resources

Index