Rediscovery of a Genius The inventor of a century: Nikola Tesla
• An Exclusive Interview * The most unbelievable rumors exist around Tesla. In what respect is it necessary to cor- ikola Tesla is one of the most im- rect our perception of Nikola Tesla? Nportant masterminds of the mod- Tesla was not a mystic, was not a loon, but ern world. He created everything from a quite “normal” genius saddled with ev electrical distribution to telecommu- erything that comes with such a mind. He nication, and our world would be very left deep marks not only in the real world, different without his inventions. But but in the world of fantasy as well: without surprisingly, Nikola Tesla (1856 –1943) Tesla, there would be no AC system and is still relatively unknown; even school- no “Star Wars”. Tesla is a “missing link ”, a books often neglect his name. Now, blind spot in the history of mankind. however, the author Michael Krause has won acclaim for rediscovering this gifted scientist and visionary. A pro- ducer and a director by trade, Michael Krause is also a historian with a well- further info: equipped archive on Tesla. After fin- www.michael-krause.org ishing his documentary film on Tesla, www.allabouttesla.com Krause dedicated himself to creating a Michael Krause fascinating portrait of Tesla in this new book. the bottom of all things and started to ask: How does this work – and how could it • work better? From his mother’s side came craft and diligence, from his father’s, men ikola Tesla, the misunderstood ge Why are you so fascinated by Tesla? Why tal strength and the will to fight for your Nnius, was a puzzle at all times. Ac your dedication to his rediscovery? beliefs. cordingly, the wildest speculations have Tesla is the key figure of the Second arisen around him as a person. In contrast, Industrial Revolution. Around 1900, Tes Actually it was initially thought that Tesla Michael Krause keeps to the historical facts, la was the “Wizard of Electricity ”. Tesla would follow his father’s footsteps to become of which the author has gathered a great anticipated and shaped our modern world a priest. But Tesla decided to become an engi- many—and they are all exciting enough. like no other inventor. He painted the big neer instead. What made him do so? Michael Krause has journeyed to the many picture of modern times; his ideas became Tesla never wanted to become a man of the places where Tesla lived, and he has gath the fundamental inventions of our tech church – and this was not the only point ered together the biggest collection of Tesla nical world. He is well worth being redis where Tesla had a conflict with his father. items known worldwide. Michael Krause covered. Tesla‘s natural curiosity saw the world as presents Tesla’s life story in a descriptive, a gigantic toy factory with a lot of toys to illuminating manner, set before the grand What are the most tremendous merits of play with. Tesla always wanted to be the background of factual history spanning Tesla, both as a researcher and an inventor? one to play around with the world and from the huge changes of the western world Tesla invented the alternating current tech change it to the benefit of us all. in the middle of the 19th century to the for nology; he was the first to present radio mative influences of Tesla’s discoveries in the transmission, radio control, Tesla coils and In Tesla’s case, poetry and truth are hard to world of today. This book is an impressive the foundations of high frequency and distinguish. To some extent Tesla himself was personality profile that reads like a thrilling plasma research. Tesla‘s cool logic discov responsible for the creation of the myth sur- novel, but that ered systemic relations and other related rounding his persona. How is this related to nonetheless pro necessary developments. Tesla belongs to his personality? vides a lot of the same family as Faraday, Edison, and Tesla presented himself as a shy dandy. food for thought Einstein. Behind this mask, he was a vulnerable, regarding current sensitive person. Tesla‘s analytical bril issues. What enabled Tesla to achieve such accom- liance alternated with self-mythologizing plishments? How could this son of an Ortho- and otherworldliness. In his later years he dox clergyman, who grew up in the country- suffered from OCD – obsessive-compul Michael Krause: How Nikola Tesla side, become such a great inventor? sive syndrome – and depressions. This is Invented the 20th century. As a curios child, Tesla was fascinated by hardly surprising – he was a star that fell Wiley, 2010 this wonderful world of ours. He went to from grace.
* From: buechermenschen 01/2010 (Hugendubel)