Skip to content
COMPONENTS.CA
Person

Nikola Tesla

Championed the alternating-current systems that carry electricity across the modern grid.

Lifespan
1856–1943
Country
United States
Industries
Electronics, Materials
IdeasElectrificationElectronics

The problem

Distributing electric power over long distances was impractical with the direct-current systems of the era.

The innovation

Tesla developed practical alternating-current machinery, including the induction motor and polyphase systems for generating and transmitting AC power.

Why it mattered

Alternating current can be transformed to high voltages for efficient long-distance transmission, which made large-scale electrification feasible.

Lasting impact

AC transmission remains the backbone of electrical grids worldwide, and the induction motor is still ubiquitous in industry.

Gallery

Original patent drawing sheet from Nikola Tesla's U.S. Patent 381,968, "Electro-Magnetic Motor" (1888): figures showing the alternating-current motor's field poles and armature in successive rotating positions.
U.S. Patent No. 381,968 — Nikola Tesla, "Electro-Magnetic Motor," patented May 1, 1888. Inventor: Nikola Tesla. Source: USPTO, accessed via Google Patents. · Public-domain historical U.S. patent document; source attribution retained. · Source record
Original patent drawing sheet from Nikola Tesla's U.S. Patent 382,280, "Electrical Transmission of Power" (1888): figures of the polyphase alternating-current generator-and-motor transmission system.
U.S. Patent No. 382,280 — Nikola Tesla, "Electrical Transmission of Power," patented May 1, 1888. Inventor: Nikola Tesla. Source: USPTO, accessed via Google Patents. · Public-domain historical U.S. patent document; source attribution retained. · Source record
← All legends